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Foreign defence firms line up to 'Make In India'

Sources said that several manufacturers are interested in opening production lines in India

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With India looking at strengthening its fighter jet fleet, defence firms are looking to set up production hubs in the country, keeping in mind Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' campaign.

Sources said that several manufacturers are interested in opening production lines in India. Already, a tussle is on between countries to 'Make in India.' There are reports that US defence firm Lockheed Martin is pushing for the production of F-16 combat jets in India, but is waiting for the Trump administration to take a fresh look at the proposal.

Just one day after these reports, sources said that Swedish firm Saab had once again offered to set up a facility in the country to manufacture it Gripen E aircraft.

India urgently needs fighter aircraft. While the air force has placed an order for 36 Rafale twin-engine jets, it is yet to get the delivery of even one. Before demitting office in December 2016, former air force chief Arup Raha said that there was a need to have over 200 aircraft in the medium weight category in the next 10 years.

The IAF currently has 33 fighter squadrons, against the sanctioned 42. Defence experts feel that there is an immediate need to enhance the fighter jet fleet of the air force and the way forward is to expedite deals allowing firms to have production lines in the country.

"India must use the leverage it has by wanting to be purchase aircraft in big numbers and use our buyers' clout," said Air Vice-Marshal (retd) Manmohan Bahadur.

Saab had initially offered Gripen for the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft deal, which was eventually awarded to French Dassault's Rafale. India and France had, on September 23 last year, signed the approximately Rs 59,000- crore deal for Rafale, equipped with latest missiles and weapon systems, and multiple India-specific modifications.

Now, as the government has shown its intent to go in for a fleet of single-engine fighters, with IAF issuing a Request for Information (RFI) earlier, Lockheed Martin will be a major competitor for Saab.

Lockheed Martin has offered to completely shift an F-16 production line to India. Last year, the company made a presentation to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the production of F-16 fighters in India.

According to reports, the company is in touch with officials regarding the plans as the Donald Trump government has expressed reservations about companies manufacturing products outside the US and then selling it back in the country.

Boeing has also shown interest to open a production line for the F-18 aircraft earlier. US Defense Secretary James Mattis spoke to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on February 9. This was the first dialogue between the two after Mattis took charge last month.

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