French Rafale and Euro Fighter shortlisted for price negotiation
Loren Thompson of the Lexington Institute think tank and a consultant to Lockheed Martin says he has been told by company
officials that both the F/A-18 and F-16 have been dropped from consideration by India.
And here's Lockheed's not very informative but perhaps telling statement: "The US Government has informed Lockheed Martin
that they have received a letter from the Indian MOD concerning the MMRCA competition. We understand that the US Government
is working on a response to the letter from the Indian government. Lockheed Martin remains committed to our relationship with
the Indian Air Force, Ministry of Defense and the other Services. Lockheed Martin has several world-class products offering the
most advanced and reliable technology we believe is suitable for India's security needs."
Reports out of India today indicate that country's government has it is considering
buying as the next next front line fighter jet and that both Lockheed Martin's F-16 and the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet have
been eliminated from the competition.
If that is the case it could mean the days of the F-16 being produced in Fort Worth are nearing an end. Company officials
said in their conference call Tuesday they only have orders booked to carry production through mid-2013.
About the only thing official on the subject at this point is that Sweden's that it has been eliminated.
But one blog reports it has confirmed that India has asked two bidders,
consortium to extend the terms of their bids.
Lockheed has not yet commented to the Star-Telegram. A Boeing spokesman said he had not heard anything official from his
corporate ranks. But Washington defense analyst Loren Thompson, who has many good sources in the world of defense contractors,
said he has heard similar but unofficial reports.
"My understanding is the F-16 and F/A-18 have both been disqualified by India," Thompson said.
India has for years been tantalizing fighter jet manufacturers with its plans to spend something on the order of $10 billion
to buy 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft.
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