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SOURCE: AFI

In the early stages of India’s ambitious Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program, the United States made a striking proposal: Northrop Grumman offered to move its F-20 Tigershark manufacturing facility to India. This intriguing offer highlighted America’s interest in collaborating with India on defense technologies during the 1980s.

The F-20 Tigershark was a modernized version of the widely used F-5E Tiger II fighter jet. Developed in the late 1970s, the F-20 was designed to be an affordable yet technologically advanced fighter for export, in line with the U.S. administration’s export policies under President Jimmy Carter. These policies aimed to sell advanced but not cutting-edge military aircraft to allies, reducing the risk of top-tier technology falling into Soviet hands.

Powered by the General Electric F404 engine—the same engine later integrated into India’s LCA Tejas—the F-20 featured cutting-edge avionics and a versatile weapons loadout. The aircraft boasted a maximum speed exceeding Mach 2, a climb rate of over 50,000 feet per minute, and advanced aerodynamics, including leading-edge extensions (LEX) for improved lift. Fly-by-wire controls added to its sophistication, making the F-20 a capable, lightweight multirole fighter.

At its core, the F-20 was marketed as a low-cost solution for nations seeking modern fighter capabilities without the exorbitant price tag of frontline U.S. aircraft. The unit flyaway cost of the F-20 was estimated at $10.7 million in 1983, making it an attractive option for countries with limited defense budgets.

As India embarked on the development of its indigenous LCA program, Northrop Grumman’s proposal to relocate the F-20 manufacturing line to India was a potential game-changer. At a time when India was looking to build domestic capabilities, the offer could have provided Indian engineers with access to advanced production techniques and systems integration.

The partnership could have also introduced India to fly-by-wire controls, high-performance jet engines, and advanced avionics much earlier in its aerospace journey. However, India chose to pursue its indigenous LCA program instead, prioritizing self-reliance over foreign collaboration at that stage.

Despite its promise, the F-20 Tigershark program faced significant challenges. By 1986, the project was abandoned after producing only three prototypes. Two of these crashed during test flights, raising concerns about the platform’s viability. Furthermore, competition from the F-16 Fighting Falcon—a more capable and combat-proven fighter already in service with U.S. allies—overshadowed the F-20.

The lack of U.S. government backing for the F-20 also played a role in its demise. While the F-20 was aimed at export markets, the absence of a domestic operator made it less appealing to potential buyers.

The F-20 Tigershark story underscores the complexities of balancing cost, capability, and geopolitical considerations in defense procurement. For India, the decision to focus on the LCA program eventually bore fruit, as the Tejas fighter is now a cornerstone of the Indian Air Force’s modernization efforts.






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