Lockheed Martin unveils new F-21 Fighter Jet

US defence giant Lockheed Martin unveiled the F-21 multi-role fighter jet at Asia’s biggest air show Aero India-2019. Lockheed Martin will manufacture the plane in collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems under India’s flagship programme Make in India.

F-21 Fighter Jet

• The company states that the F-21 fighter jet is specifically configured for the Indian Air Force and will strengthen India’s path to an advanced airpower future.
• F-21 would fulfil the Indian Air Force’s unique requirements and integrates India into the world’s largest fighter aircraft ecosystem with the world’s pre-eminent defence company.
• The F-21 provides “unmatched” Make in India opportunities and strengthens India’s path to an advanced airpower future together with unrivalled industrial opportunities and accelerates closer India-US cooperation on advanced technologies.

India’s RFI for 110 fighter jets

India had floated Request for Information for procuring 110 fighter aircraft for its air force. Six global aviation majors which have responded to the RFI are Boeing’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Lockheed Martin’s F-21 Fighting Falcon, Dassault Aviation’s Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab’s Gripen and Russian United Aircraft Corporation’s MiG-35.
The RFI mandates that the procurement of the 110 aircraft should have 15 per cent aircraft in flyaway condition and the remaining 85 per cent to be made in India by a Strategic Partner. Lockheed has teamed up with Tata Advanced Systems for the F-21, and Boeing has teamed up with Hindustan Aeronautics, India’s state-run aerospace company, as well as Mahindra Defense Systems for the local manufacture of the Super Hornet.

Month: Current Affairs - February, 2019