Lockheed Martin proposes defence partnership with India

Eyeing a greater pie in India′s massive military modernisation, Lockheed Martin is "proposing game-changing defence partnerships that benefit multiple stakeholders" not only in India, but also in the US and beyond. Vivek Lall, vice president, Aeronautics Strategy and Business Development at Lockheed Martin, said: “Lockheed Martin is committed to strategic, long-term international defence partnerships with India. India has a pressing need for advanced, scalable defence capabilities.” "We believe our proposed partnerships with India fighter aircraft - for new fighter aircraft, helicopters and other platforms - are ideally suited to not just meet but exceed India′s capability and defence-industrial needs in the near-term and well into the future.” Lall asserted that the company had demonstrated this commitment by announcing last September that it will partner with Tata to produce F-16 wings in India for future customers. He said, "This landmark ′Make in India′ partnership is a natural next step that builds on our successful partnerships with Tata on the C-130J airlifter and other premiere defence and aerospace platforms.” "We′re also engaging with numerous others in India, the US and beyond to unleash the power of partnership and Indian innovation. We′re very excited about all of the potential we see in India.” Lockheed Martin is also planning to participate in the Indian Navy′s move to acquire 111 utility helicopters. He said the S-76D helicopter is the right platform for the India Naval Utility Helicopter programme.