SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant development for India’s Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender, Lockheed Martin officials have confirmed to idrw.org that the company is unlikely to offer its fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II in response to the upcoming Request for Proposal (RFP) for 110 jets. Citing the small order size and stringent US restrictions on technology transfer (ToT), Lockheed has deemed it unfeasible to establish an F-35 production line in India.
Instead, the American aerospace giant plans to pitch its F-21—a modernized variant of the F-16 Block 70/72—tailored specifically for the Indian Air Force (IAF), despite the platform’s earlier failure to clear technical rounds in the previous Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) tender.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has recently signaled a potential shift in its upcoming Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender, indicating it may now include 5th generation fighter jets in the Request for Proposal (RFP) scheduled for release later this year.
The MRFA tender was expected to draw a diverse field of contenders, including 5th generation aircraft like the F-35 and Su-57E, as well as 4.5 generation fighters such as the Rafale, Eurofighter, Gripen, F-21, and F-15EX.
First, the order size of 110 jets is considered too small to justify the massive investment required to set up a dedicated F-35 production line in India. The F-35 program, already one of the most expensive defense projects in history, relies on economies of scale to manage costs. Establishing a new production line involves not just manufacturing infrastructure but also complex supply chains, training programs, and maintenance ecosystems—investments that make sense only for significantly larger orders or long-term commitments.
Second, the US Congress has imposed strict restrictions on the transfer of critical technologies associated with the F-35. India, as part of its Make in India initiative, has consistently demanded substantial ToT in its defense deals to build indigenous capabilities and reduce reliance on imports. However, the F-35’s sensitive stealth technologies, advanced radar systems (like the AN/APG-81 AESA radar), and software-driven avionics are tightly guarded by the US, limiting the scope of ToT Lockheed can offer. Even if India were to procure the F-35 off-the-shelf, the lack of deep ToT would likely conflict with New Delhi’s strategic goals, rendering the deal less attractive.
With the F-35A out of the picture, Lockheed Martin is pivoting to its F-21 proposal, a souped-up variant of the F-16 Block 70/72 specifically tailored for India. Unveiled in 2019, the F-21 builds on the proven F-16 platform but incorporates modern upgrades to meet the IAF’s requirements. Key enhancements include an advanced APG-83 AESA radar (derived from the F-35’s radar family), conformal fuel tanks for extended range, a triple missile launcher system, and a modernized cockpit with a large-area display. Lockheed claims the F-21 offers “F-35-like capabilities” at a fraction of the cost, positioning it as a cost-effective solution for India’s need to bolster its depleting fighter squadrons.
Lockheed has also emphasized its willingness to manufacture the F-21 in India through a partnership with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL). The company previously proposed setting up an F-16 production line in India during the MMRCA tender and later as part of a strategic partnership model, promising significant job creation and industrial collaboration. For the MRFA tender, Lockheed is likely to double down on this offer, highlighting the economic benefits and potential for India to become a regional hub for F-16/F-21 maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services—a lucrative prospect given the global fleet of over 3,000 F-16s still in service.
Despite Lockheed’s optimism, the F-21 faces significant hurdles in the MRFA tender. The platform is essentially a derivative of the F-16, which failed to clear technical rounds in the original MMRCA competition (2007–2015) due to concerns over its dated design compared to competitors like the Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon. The IAF ultimately selected the Rafale in 2012, citing its superior capabilities, though only 36 jets were procured due to cost and negotiation issues, leaving a gap that the MRFA tender aims to fill.
The F-16’s fourth-generation roots may again be a sticking point for the IAF, which has increasingly emphasized the need for advanced technologies to counter China’s growing fleet of J-20 stealth fighters and other modern platforms. While the F-21 incorporates upgrades like an AESA radar and improved avionics, it lacks the stealth and sensor fusion capabilities of true fifth-generation fighters like the F-35. In a tender likely to see competition from aircraft like the Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen E, and possibly Russia’s Su-35, the F-21 may struggle to stand out unless Lockheed can offer unmatched pricing, industrial benefits, and operational assurances.
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