Lockheed Unveils New F-21 Jet For Fighter Competition

Lockheed Martin is offering a new fighter jet for an Indian air force requirement, reports Reuters.

The F-21 would be configured to the needs of the Indian air force and contain technologies from the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II stealth jets, the firm said on Wednesday at the Aero India exhibition in Bangalore.

The jet would be produced in partnership with Indian firm Tata Advanced Systems and offer domestic production opportunities that no other competitor is providing, the company said.

India is currently considering bids for 114 jets to replace its aging fleet of Soviet-era fighter jets. The contract could exceed US$15 billion. Lockheed submitted its F-16 Block 70 for the competition.

It is not clear if the Indian air force has been consulted about the new jet, noted the Times of India.

The other contenders include the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Saab Gripen, the Rafale, the Eurofighter Typhoon and Russian jets.