India Set to Make F-16 Fighter Jets, Albeit Pak Controversy

By siliconindia | Monday, 15 February 2016, 12:35 Hrs

NEW DELHI: Delhi has been considering the proposal to manufacture F-16 fighter jets even after U.S. plans on transferring eight F-16 jets to Pakistan. The proposal has been offered under many meetings and discussions since November last year to meet both the Indian as well as export requirements, reports The Economic Times.

Overlooking the objections made by U.S. lawmakers, U.S. has recently moved ahead with its plan to sell eight F-16 jets to Pakistan. The Obama administration claims that Pakistan has been using its F-16 fleets effectively against terrorists and has enhanced the capabilities of its military. However, many U.S. lawmakers do not agree to this plan and believe that Pakistan continues to support terror outfits and these planes could be used to threaten India. India also expressed displeasure to this act and told the U.S. Ambassador Richard Verma that this decision meant India’s protests over the past year regarding this issue were unheeded.

However, India is considering U.S.’s proposal to manufacture F-16 under the Make in India plan. Previously manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the proposal of F-16 manufacture is being pushed by Washington. Additionally, Boeing is also showing deep interest in building F/A 18 Super Hornet fighters under the Make in India plan.

U.S. has offered India to produce an advance variant of the jet that is being sold to Pakistan and is coined as F-16 IN Super Viper. Apart from the F-16 IN Super Viper and F/A 18 Super Hornet, India is also considering offer from Sweden’s SAAB to transfer Gripen fighter line to India and Airbus’s proposal to create Eurofighter City.