US fighter jets to get ‘Make in India’ tag- Pentagon backs proposal

In a huge boost to PM Narendra Modi’s pet project ‘Make in India’ drive the Pentagon has given green signal to the US aviation behemoths Boeing and Lockheed Martin to manufacture higher-end fighter aircraft in India. The proposals which include transfer of technology and licensing offers were conveyed to the India defence minister Manohar Parrikar by the US defence secretary last week.

The proposal, representing a huge investment includes Boeing’s offer of making F-18 twin-engine fighter and Lockheed Martin’s single-engined F-16. The estimated cost of every F-18 is around $100 million while that of F-16s is $70 million approximately. So, if the deal matures it would spell a significant leap for India’s aviation sector. And since, high-end aluminium and aluminium alloys form a crucial part of aircraft building, the project would also give a substantial boost to the aluminium parts manufacturing in the country.

According to government sources, the US has also given consent for an Indian non-paper on broader export controls as a defence partner of Washington. Talks were held between the two parties regarding sharing of sensitive data related to defence technology and possible transfer of long-duration, high-altitude drones for maritime surveillance. India’s possible acquisition of Predator drone was also discussed in the meetings.

“Defence minister Manohar Parrikar’s visit to the US had significant outcomes with Pentagon agreeing to work on the Indian non-paper for easier export controls,” said a senior government official.

The Indian government is clearly elated with the progress. However, a number of licensing hurdles remain to be cleared before the project goes on stream. The US departments of commerce and state are to be partnered first as clearances on licences and transfer of technology lie within their ambit.

“Since a major component of Grippen NG fighter, including the engine and the radar, are US, the latest developments show that there would be no obstacle from Washington on even transfer of technology for Swedish fighter. The Pentagon, however, understands that all these proposals will have to go through the competitive route,” said the official.

Parrikar, during his three-day visit to the US, visited the Boeing Apache and Chinook helicopter factory in Philadelphia. He showed interest in the newly-developed KC-46 strategic tanker and said the Indian mid-air refuelling tanker fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF) could benefit from its addition.

The IAF’s total requirement for fighter planes has been estimated at 126 multi-role machines. This means, about 90 fighters are to be manufactured in India as the remaining 36 will be Rafales; talks on the same are currently in the last lap. The IAF’s squadron strength has dwindled to 33, with the mandated strength being 42 squadrons of 18-20 planes each.