Scott Nicholas
The U.S. and Indian governments look to close a deal that will potentially bring the production of fighter aircraft from Lockheed Martin and Boeing to India, the Washington Post reported Monday.
Annie Gowen writes Lockheed has proposed to move its Texas-based F-16 assembly line to India, which will make the country the sole producer of the single-engine aircraft that the U.S. military is looking to replace with the F-35.
The report noted that Boeing has also proposed to establish a manufacturing facility for the F/A-18 Super Hornet in the country, while other defense companies such as Saab could also establish production lines there amid India’s goal to modernize its current fleet of Russia-made aircraft.
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has arrived in India this week to discuss various topics including procurement efforts, Gowen reports.
The Washington Post added that the potential deal will open approximately 1,000 jobs under Lockheed in India.
