Lockheed Martin and India's BEL to Explore Opportunities in F-21 Fighter Programme

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to explore industrial opportunities in the F-21 programme today at DefExpo 2020. Lockheed Martin is strengthening and growing its partnerships with the Indian industry to support the company's F-21 proposal for the Indian Air Force.

"We are excited to begin exploring F-21 opportunities with BEL, one of India's leading aerospace and defence companies," said Dr Vivek Lall, Vice President of Stragety and Business Development, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. "An F-21 partnership with India integrates Indian industry, including BEL, into the world's largest and most successful fighter aircraft ecosystem and demonstrates Lockheed Martin's commitment to India."

Mrs Anandi Ramalingam, Director (Marketing), BEL, said: "We are happy to collaborate with Lockheed Martin which is a global major in the aerospace sector. We are eagerly looking forward to cash in on this co-operation to address domestic and international market needs in this sector."

About the F-21

[caption id="attachment_141777" align="alignleft" width="400"] Lockheed Martin and Bharat Electronics Limited signed a memorandum of understanding on February 7 to explore opportunities on the F-21 programme.[/caption]

The advanced, single-engine F-21 is the ideal solution to meet the Indian Air Force's capability needs and deliver unparalleled industrial opportunities. The F-21 delivers an advanced, single-engine multi-role fighter at the most optimal Life Cycle Cost for the Indian Air Force, with the longest service life of any competitor – 12,000 flight hours. In concert with India's Rafale and Tejas, the F-21 will fill a critical operational role for the Indian Air Force.

The F-21 also provides unmatched opportunities for Indian companies of all sizes, including Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and suppliers throughout India, to establish new business relationships with Lockheed Martin and other industry leaders in the US and around the globe.

About Lockheed Martin

[caption id="attachment_141776" align="alignleft" width="400"] (PRNewsfoto/Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Com)[/caption]

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 110,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

About BEL

A Navratna PSU and India's foremost Defence electronics company, BEL is a multi-product, multi-technology, multi-Unit conglomerate having products in the areas of Radars, Missile Systems, Military Communications, Naval Systems, Electronic Warfare & Avionics, C4I Systems, Electro Optics, Tank Electronics & Gun/Weapon System Upgrade in the Defence segment. BEL is also diversifying into areas such as Homeland Security & Smart Cities, Satellite Integration & Space Electronics, Railways, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Software as a Service, Energy Storage Products and Composite Shelters & Masts.

Kochi-Startup Sastra Robotics inks MoU with Lockheed Martin

Kochi-based startup Sastra Robotics India Pvt Ltd has signed an MoU with the US global aerospace, defence security company Lockheed Martin, paving way for the robots produced by the Indian venture to gain entry into avionics testing.

Successful qualification would enable Sastra Robotics to be a supplier to Lockheed Martin and other Tier-1 OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers).

These products can help in the testing of avionics display of tactical fighter platforms, including the F-21.

Mentored by Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), Sastra Robotics focuses on manufacturing intelligent robotic platforms for industrial product testing automation, a press release here said.

Since 2015, global brands like Robert BOSCH, Honeywell, HCL, Audiences, and Knowles are using their robots for HMI testing automation of real physical devices.

Meanwhile, the US firm also signed MoUs with Chennai-based startup Terero Mobility, and Bengaluru-based startup NoPo Nanotechnologies for providing various technlogy services.

Commenting on the pact, Vivek Lall, Vice President for Strategy and Business Development at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, said, "The agreements attest to the commitment of Lockheed Martin to cultivate and integrate indigenous content into global systems and platforms.

Through the agreement, we look to provide engineering support, mentoring, and assistance in the qualification of some of the technologies proposed, all of which contribute to our mission of making in India."

"Kerala has a pool of scale up startups and we find startups getting recognized by the industries on the quality of their products.

Initiatives like the India Innovation Growth Programme (IIGP) help startups get connected with industries and we really look forward for more industries to be part of the Kerala startup ecosystem," Manager, Business Development, KSUM, Ashok Kurian Panjikaran said.

KSUM is the nodal agency of Government of Kerala for entrepreneurship development and incubation activities in the state. PTI UD ROH