Lockheed Martin Hopes To Outsource Component Manufacturing To India, Report Says

According to an article in The Hindu Business Line, Lockheed Martin is currently attempting to outsource the manufacturing of aircraft components to Indian firms, such as the Tat Group and HAL.

The firm's advanced development programs divisions, which works on research in cutting edge areas such as stealth and surveillance technologies, is also working on developing relationships with Indian information technology and research firms, said Lockheed's Director of Communications, Joseph Stout.

As part of efforts to establish a presence in India, Lockheed was interested in outsourcing components for the F-16 fighter jets and other aircraft, including the hugely successful C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, to Indian firms.

According to Stout, if Lockheed makes the deal to supply 126 jets to the Indian Air Force, the request for proposals for which are likely to be issued soon, a 'majority' of the jets will be built by the state-owned HAL following the transfer of technology.