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Why India should reconsider F-16IN option



On Contrary to popular beliefs, that production line of F-16 is closing down, Lockheed Martin Corp has enough orders to keep its F-16 fighter jet production line humming through the third quarter of 2017, with hopes of getting further orders from 26 Airforces around the world which operates them, Lockheed Martin is upbeat in keep the line running through 2020.

Lockheed has produced over 4,500 F-16s since the program began in 1975, making the F-16 the best-selling fighter jet in history after Legendary Mig-21 which had a production run for more then 8000 airframes.

With reduced orders at hand Lockheed has dramatically scaled back production of the F-16 at its sprawling facility in Fort Worth, Texas, to about one plane a month now – from a peak production rate of 30 planes a month in June 1987.

With Collapse of Orignal tender for MMRCA tender which involved purchase of 126 aircrafts,new renewed efforts have been made to refloat a new tender for 90 aircrafts under “Make In India” initiative which might see first of Private Indian companies participating in production of fighter jets in India .

Saab India was first to offer joint production of its latest Gripen NG fighter jet in India and last week United states officially offered Joint production of F16IN Super Viper, to keep the aircraft relevant for next two decades to come. Enhanced legacy jet has been offered with the maximum integration of the fifth-generation technologies borrowed from F35 Lightening II Joint Strike Fighter and the F22 Raptor.

According to Media buzz and Sources close to idrw.org , United states have offered F16IN at a mouthwatering price, Which might be hard for India to ignore due to sharp cost escalation seen in contemporary fighter jets like Rafale and Gripen NG . many see this as a US attempt to kill off attempts been made by other contenders and also promised to make India source of Spares for Global operators of the jet which will remain in Active Sevice till 2040-50.

F16IN powered by a General Electric F110-132A engine comes with the unprecedented safety record of reliability, maintainability, and durability. F16IN will be offered with Northrop Grumman developed APG 80 AESA radar along with latest in Net-centric Warfare Capability which will enhance its Strike Mission and Air warfare Capability which will fully equipped with Modern Full Colour All-Digital Glass Cockpit.

What might go against the American jet is that under Original MMRCA tender, F16IN had failed to clear Technical rounds Conducted by India air force Pilots and Pakistan air force which also operates 70 odd older F-16s also might force IAF to stay away from the jet.


                                                                 SOURCE : http://idrw.org/

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