"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."
- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
26 Oct 2016
Indian government is keen to strengthen its air force with more advanced fleets.
Companies all over the world have received proposals from the Indian government in last few days, asking if they would be willing to join hands with an Indian company to manufacture a fleet of single-engine fighter jets for the Indian air force.
Proposals have been made by Indian embassies to both Saab of Sweden and Lockheed Martin of the US. This move by India shows it’s willing to sideline the normal tendering process and do a deal more quickly.
The request has been made few weeks after India signed a contract with France to buy 36 twin-engine Rafale jets built by Dassault. Currently there are 3,200 F-16s being flown worldwide and they would all be supplied, from India as well as new ones being built there. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the Indian defense industry.
Building the entire world's fleet of F-16s would put India in a very important position as a global supplier. Moreover, selling that many aircrafts to Saab would make India by far its largest and highest-profile customer.