Defence Expo 2020: American defence and aviation manufacturer Lockheed Martin will explore partnership opportunities with Indian defence companies at the country’s largest defence exhibition – Defence Expo to be organised in the northern city of Lucknow early next month.
Lockheed Martin has been trying hard to sell its F-16 fighter jets, now renamed as F-21, to Indian Air Force under the re-issued MMRCA tender for procuring over 100 medium sized fighter jets for the IAF.
Lockheed Martin, which has a tie-up with Tata Group, to manufacturer parts for C-130 aircraft through a joint venture company – Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited, has been working to expand its network of Indian partners in anticipation of winning the contract.
“At the Expo, the company representatives will seek to discuss partnership opportunities with Tier 1 suppliers and prospective Indian industry partners that strengthen India-U.S. defence industrial ties and ‘Make in India’ opportunities,” Lockheed Martin said in a statement.
India’s Defence ministry is organising this mega event – Defence Expo 2020, from February 5 to 8, at Lucknow, the state capital of northern state of Uttar Pradesh with the aim to bring the defence manufacturers and end users under one roof. The event provides unique opportunity to Indian and foreign defence companies to showcase their products and forge partnerships.
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According to Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh, this will be largest over Defence Expo organised by the ministry and more than 1,000 defence companies are expected to take part in the four day long event to be held in Lucknow early next month.
Lockheed Martin, which has tie up with Tata group through joint ventures like Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL) and Tata Sikorsky Aerospace (TSAL) for producing parts of its aircrafts and helicopters, said that it has already integrated more than 70 Indian suppliers including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) into its global supply chain.
Lockheed Martin has been working with the Department of Science and Technology to support India Innovation Growth Programme (IIGP) since 2007.
Lockheed Martin also signed Memorandums of Understanding with three Indian startups – Terero Mobility, Sastra Robotics, and NoPo Nanotechnologies to integrate them in the company’s global supply chain.
Lockheed Martin India’s Chief Executive and Vice President William Blair said: “We’re proud to participate in DefExpo-2020, where we can showcase our commitment to Make in India directly to the largest gathering of defence and aerospace partners in the country.”
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“For the past decade, we have supported the growth and development of India’s innovation and start-up ecosystem, and look forward to strengthening those partnerships to support the advancement of India’s defence industry well into the future,” he added while highlighting the companies future plans in the country.
