Lockheed Martin is eyeing the Indian Market to supply F-16IN Super Viper. The MMRCA deal will be made public in a few months. Orville Prins V.P Business Development for India speaks to SP’s Photo Journalist Abhishek Singh about the advantages of the aircraft for the IAF during an exclusive media tour to Lockheed Martin’s F-16IN manufacturing unit in Dallas, Texas.

The F-16IN Super Viper has the most advanced technologies and capabilities available globally. According to Lockheed Martin officials, as of now, 4,500 F-16 aircraft have been ordered by about 25 countries, and the company has already delivered 4,400 F-16 aircraft. The production lines of F-16 are in Netherlands, Belgium, Fort Worth, Turkey, Korea. The F-16IN has a technology flow between F-35 and F-22 and radar cross section advantage over twin engine aircraft. The company gives 50 per cent offset commitment for the aircraft.

On being asked about the maintenance of the aircraft incase the company halts production of F-16 INs, Orville Prins said, “Our sustainment and support availability programmes will continue beyond 2040.” He further added, “India’s partnership with Lockheed Martin can provide access to the highest technology, opportunities for technology co-development, low-risk licensed production, transfer of technology, and opportunities for extensive long-term business.”

The F-16IN Super Viper is a unique new fighter sharing a heritage with the world's only Fifth Generation Fighters – the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter and the F-22 Raptor. Evolutionary integration of fifth generation technologies makes the F-16IN an advanced Fourth Generation fighter.

According to the company officials, F-16IN Super Viper has been tailored exclusively to meet or exceed all of India’s Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) requirements. “It is the right choice for IAF and is ready for integration into India’s infrastructure and operations now,” opined Prins.

“Lockheed Martin Aeronautics has incorporated the latest technologies into the F-16IN with the aim to expand the mission roles and improve combat capability, thereby creating the most effective multi role fighter today. With continuous insertion of latest technology available, the F-16IN can be readily equipped with emerging capabilities throughout its lifecycle,” said Prins.