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Lockheed Martin has agreed to jointly build F-16 fighter planes equipped with new-generation electronics in India with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, both companies said on Monday.
The fighters are of the Block 70 type, “the newest and most technologically advanced F-16 ever”, they said.
“The F-16 Block 70 is ideally suited to meet the Indian Air Force's single-engine fighter needs and this unmatched US-Indian industry partnership directly supports India's initiative to develop private aerospace and defense manufacturing capacity in India,” said the statement, released on the Paris air show's opening day.
The Indian air force does not currently use F-16s, but industry experts say that local production would be a strong argument in favour of the US plane against its rivals, including French company Dassault's Rafale, in future procurement decisions.
India in 2016 agreed to buy 36 Rafale combat planes for around $8.9 billion.
Accompanying that deal was a partnership agreement between Dassault and India's Reliance Group and a promise by Dassault to invest about half of the value of the contract in India.
The French company recently said it was in talks for India to buy at least 50 more.
India, the world's top defence importer, is conducting a $100-billion upgrade of its Soviet-era military hardware, facing border disputes with its northern and western neighbours, China and Pakistan.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has moved to reduce India's reliance on expensive imports and called for the manufacturing of defence equipment locally.
Modi's government has raised the limit on foreign investment in the defence sector and encouraged tie-ups between foreign and local companies.
The announcement comes a week before Modi visits Washington for talks with US President Donald Trump, who has been putting pressure on American companies to keep production at home.
The multi-role F-16 has been in production since 1978, with Lockheed so far producing a total of 4,500 units of the aircraft of which 3,200 are currently in service.
Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, a subsidiary of Tata Sons, already runs manufacturing partnerships with several global players, including Boeing, Airbus and Sikorsky.
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On DawnNews
Comments (212) Closed
Jun 19, 2017 10:01pm
This is great news. Kudos to Tata LM partnership
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Jun 19, 2017 11:13pm
Wow this is amazing for india.
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Jun 19, 2017 11:37pm
Ideally in saner world nobody would ever welcome this development,but alas if both our country's could co exist.
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Jun 19, 2017 11:51pm
This is good win win for India-US.
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Jun 20, 2017 12:14am
What a silly joke? This will end up not different than the so-called "building" of Russian MIG fighter jets by Indian firms, more that 70 percent of which ended-up being crashed or declared either unfit to fly.
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Jun 20, 2017 12:35am
Another good news.Thanks dawn.
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Jun 20, 2017 12:40am
Don't worry. Pakistan has Chinese built JF-17s which from what I have read on these forums is more than a match for the US F-16s. But a fleet of a few hundred F-16s with the Rafale as the tip of the spear and backed by the mighty Su-30 MKIs and Mirage 2000-5 Mk 2 should give sleepless nights to any military in the world.
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Jun 20, 2017 01:05am
Block 70 variant would have a Pratt and Whitney engine that has a thrust far higher than any aircraft in it's category and an AESA radar will make it more potent. However this will have adverse effects on Pakistan.As Pakistan currently operates 70-80 F16s out of which only one squadron is of C/D Block 50. Rest all are older variants which lack even night fighting capabilities (Pakistan is in talks with Turkey to upgrade that feature for now) and PAF chief recently stated that he still wants new F-16s . Now Pakistan will have to look at another aircraft platform altogether,most likely Chinese J10.
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Jun 20, 2017 01:09am
Congrats TATA...
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Jun 20, 2017 01:14am
Sales will drop and product will be substandard. US itself won't buy it.
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Jun 20, 2017 01:15am
Hmm I will be more interested in ToT terms for this engagement
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Jun 20, 2017 01:25am
The irony, tragedy and betrayal for Pakistan is too hard to put in words
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Jun 20, 2017 01:25am
Great. This is awsome. India finally did it
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Jun 20, 2017 01:28am
This is better deal by India compare with past. It ll give new technology, jobs and strong defense and backbone to make in India
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Jun 20, 2017 01:35am
Yeah! More jobs.
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Jun 20, 2017 01:47am
Production rates of 24-36 per year (2-3 per month) will give India a substantial force of front line aircraft in five years, with electronic warfare/defense suppression 2 seat models figuring prominently in the production mix!
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Jun 20, 2017 01:50am
Pakistan will need to buy spares for his F16 from India?
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Jun 20, 2017 01:57am
Say good by to quality, not sure anyone would be interested in.
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Jun 20, 2017 01:59am
India does not need other countries garbage. We need to build our own. Like our space program, we need indigenous fighter programme, no matter how long it takes.
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Jun 20, 2017 02:28am
Sir
F-35 lighting is build by USAF to replace F-16, F-18 and
F-15 for USAF and allied airforces.
The Americans are smart businessmen as they are going to make billions of dollars by manufacturing the soon to be retired and absolute generation of F-16s in India that will help them to build more expensive 5th generation stealth fighters .
The Iranian airforce is still flying the F-14 tomcats and in future the Indian airforce will be flying the F-16S
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Jun 20, 2017 02:35am
Trump has unleashed American business. F-16 is on its way out of the USAF so why not make some money. It is still better than its Chinese/Russian counterparts.
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Jun 20, 2017 02:36am
Arms manufacturing and export are the only sources Western countries survive on esp. the US. They(A horse) can't transform(befriend with) their technology to other countries (grass). It would be merely a sip from a pond. China can be a more selfless partner than the US or Russia. (Common Sense: Opinion)
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Jun 20, 2017 02:50am
Excellent news for jobs, technology absorption and the defence of the country. No wonder Mr Modi is popular.
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Jun 20, 2017 03:00am
In production since 1978. hmm, India should have opted for F-15 or MIG-35 instead.
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Jun 20, 2017 03:11am
Good news for South Asia.
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Jun 20, 2017 03:20am
Please include how negatively it would affect Pakistan?
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Jun 20, 2017 03:41am
Billions and Trillions spent on defense by India and Pakistan. These equipment become obsolete in 3 years. So after 3 years again spend Billions more. Most of these weapons go waste and end up in junkyard.
If only each country spends 1/4th of defense budget on healthcare, education and job opportunities, World would be lot peaceful and happy.
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Jun 20, 2017 03:51am
Huge mistake on Lockheed's part. American jobs are sent to India forever.
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Jun 20, 2017 03:51am
And where does Pakistan lies ?
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Jun 20, 2017 03:51am
Awesome, but let's keep developing our Tejas as well.
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Jun 20, 2017 03:59am
Long live India-US cooperation!
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Jun 20, 2017 04:19am
instead of negotiating for disputes with their neighbors specially old issue such as Kashmir they are buying costly hardware make Indian people poorest.
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Jun 20, 2017 04:21am
This is a game changer in Asia pacific region.
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Jun 20, 2017 04:23am
On an average one win everyday for India
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Jun 20, 2017 04:30am
Hope that will wake up our politicians.
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Jun 20, 2017 04:37am
India will see this as a great partnership with a state of art weapons manufacturing facility. Lockheed martin which practically controls both houses in the USA, sees great way to off load a whole load of redundant machinery specific to a out of date aircraft. You would think they would offer the same deal for F35s like it will eventually to Israel. India is just being held to counter china and in the near future it will have to eat the humble pie and get cosy with china. The USA in a bad partner.
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Jun 20, 2017 04:39am
F-16 Nano in the making
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Jun 20, 2017 04:42am
Good move in achieving multiple goals. Thanks for my Pakistani friends who will preach us on F16 being an outdated model.
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Jun 20, 2017 04:48am
God bless India.
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Jun 20, 2017 04:56am
Will create employment and many ancillary units. Make in India will add to GDP growth. Congratulations !!
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Jun 20, 2017 05:13am
F-16 block 70 to be inducted in IAF in year 2070.
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Jun 20, 2017 05:22am
36 F-16 planes for approximately $9 Billion works out to $250 Million per plane. Does this even sound right? If this is true, it is absolutely insane and asinine. If there was total peace amongst India, Pakistan, and China, none of us would feel compelled to lay out funds of this magnitude for defense or offence even. "Zara socho aur sambhlo." Money spent on defense equipment, especially that which has been manufactured abroad, is a total waste of the country's resources, and a drain on its economy, without even having the saving grace of the economically beneficial "Ripple Effect" which money spent locally has on it, as it is spent and re-spent several times down the line. Moreover, all military equipment is subject to an accelerated technological obsolescence with little or no salvage value after a couple of decades.at best. So except for the real or contrived bugaboo of an impending war, this is akin to, as the old Saraiki or Punjabi saying goes "Spilling ghee on the desert sand."
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Jun 20, 2017 06:18am
The life liberty and freedom of 1100 million people of all faiths living in a democracy, needs to be protected by all means.
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Jun 20, 2017 06:25am
LOVE him or hate him, Modi is a visionary unlike his predecessors.
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Jun 20, 2017 06:26am
Good move to make transfer of technology mandatory for defense acquisitions. IAF is also eyeing the FA-18 Super Hornet to make in India.
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Jun 20, 2017 06:44am
It is now high time to compare our country. Leadership with neighbouring .
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Jun 20, 2017 06:58am
Made in India F16s :-)
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Jun 20, 2017 07:08am
better late than never. India needs its own capacity built to make in india products. This is a good move for defense against notorious neighbouring countries of India.
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Jun 20, 2017 07:16am
Where is Indian indigenous fighter LCA Tejas? Dead on arrival it seems.
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Jun 20, 2017 07:23am
So spare parts for Pakistani F-16will go from Indian .better to go for 7generation JF-17. As such number 17 is higher than 16
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Jun 20, 2017 07:29am
Now Pakistan should induct another plattform, or aeroplanes from other countries.
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Jun 20, 2017 07:31am
Now Pakistan can buy latest F-16 from India.
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Jun 20, 2017 07:38am
Awesome news.
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Jun 20, 2017 07:49am
And then US is not promoting war in the region??????
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Jun 20, 2017 07:58am
Good news
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Jun 20, 2017 08:05am
F-16s have been the favorite fighter jets of the Pakistani Air Force for a long time. Now they can them from their neighbors.
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Jun 20, 2017 08:10am
Son will become Indias customer.
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Jun 20, 2017 08:11am
What's better? An F-16 with Tata parts or a Tata with F-16 parts?
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Jun 20, 2017 08:11am
@BASIT_kHAN *"Where is Indian indigenous fighter LCA Tejas? Dead on arrival it seems"*
The Indian air force is already using it. More are being ordered for the same.
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Jun 20, 2017 08:18am
If US buys these planes from India, then these planes will be real F-16. If US does not buy these planes from India, then these planes are of sub standard quality and the only thing worth while in these planes is the name F-16. Just remember US never gives the latest technology to anyone, what they will give is atleast 5 years old technology.
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Jun 20, 2017 08:26am
For all those who say made in india products are substandard.....
In global perception of brand made in India is ranked 42
Made in china at 49 and no other asian nation in top 50.
So you people prefer to use chinese than indian...what an irony....
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Jun 20, 2017 08:27am
@Zak only the price will drop because of labour charges being so low as compared to Americans working at the plant..cost of operation will be highly cut and 3500+ f16's can't fly without spare parts too.
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Jun 20, 2017 08:30am
@BASIT_kHAN its production line is already working and work is in progress for upgraded version of tejas.
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Jun 20, 2017 08:30am
indians need food and health care not killing machines.
well done modi jii
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Jun 20, 2017 08:34am
kindly build food making factories for indians too after F16
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Jun 20, 2017 08:37am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad that was with a PSU Hal. Tata happens to be already in joint ventures with Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Airbus and Sikorsky and developing equipment for there aircraft's. Do you not know TATA?
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Jun 20, 2017 08:38am
Great !!
AND this announcement comes prior to Modi's visit to US on 26th June. More deals are waiting as Modi is paying visits to Portugal & Netherlands after US....with business proposals in advance stage of finalization.
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Jun 20, 2017 08:38am
Wow nothing like it. We can now damage your F16s and fix and repair them too. We can now have YOUR cake and eat it too. Don't worry...You guys can send them to us for fixing... Just remember we will be charging $$ for it. No freebies. We will try to put some GPS trackers in them too.
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Jun 20, 2017 08:38am
@Zak US plans to operate f 16 till 2048 according to recent reports.
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Jun 20, 2017 08:44am
@Shakil
Shakil - "In production since 1978. hmm, India should have opted for F-15 or MIG-35 instead."
A year ago, a certain country was upset that their order of F-16s was cancelled. Now they are saying that f16 is not good enough. I wonder why.
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Jun 20, 2017 08:48am
@PAK-OZ
Feel good to hear the word Health Care !!! Pakistan is progressing !
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Jun 20, 2017 08:58am
@PAK-OZ - Yes, you are right. This will have below benefits
This will create jobs for the educated, semi-educated and uneducated youth.
- It will create a big defense eco system with many small and medium scale industries with advanced defense ecosystem
- It will create jobs to the youth in Small and Medium scale industries as spare parts and component suppliers
- India will become single production line for export F-16 across the world
- Hands-on trained engineers and technicians, trained in advanced defense technologies.
- Many Indian youth after around 10-15 experience in these production lines, will start their own companies building on these capabilities
- 3,200+ fighters in operation across the world, they need upgrades, maintenance and spare parts. This will make sure that these facilities will have at-least next 40 years of orders already placed as it will be the last manufacturing line.
- un-educated youth will get jobs in the transportation, admin etc in supplier factories
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Jun 20, 2017 09:00am
@Shakil They producing latest one in India 70 Block version. Those who are telling products will be substandard, its better than chinese
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Jun 20, 2017 09:01am
The rich get richer by making the poor fight the poorer. Earn billions under the garb of nationalism, religion and safety. Identify a patriotic cause and then sit back and enjoy the wealth. Meanwhile hunger, poverty, illiteracy and employment generation is collateral damage that can be justified. All in the name of patriotism
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Jun 20, 2017 09:01am
@saeed Better then what pakistan andchina doing!!
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Jun 20, 2017 09:04am
@ga Tata owns Jaguar Land Rover and Fiat and Tata have income more than your country
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Jun 20, 2017 09:09am
@ SAM
I fully agree on this point. Rightly as you expressed for all this you need to have quality education .........you can start now .....not too late !
Good Wishes as always brother !!
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Jun 20, 2017 09:13am
@PAK-OZ Both are surplus in India and are being exported now.
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Jun 20, 2017 09:17am
On the whole there is not anything to celebrate. Peace is the key and Pakistani is the key for solution.
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Jun 20, 2017 09:19am
@Zak this is not made in China to be substandard, it is made in India.
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Jun 20, 2017 09:20am
@Shakil then why Pakistan have F16 in your squadrons better move them for scrap
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Jun 20, 2017 09:22am
@BASIT_kHAN HAL already started is production and two of tejas had already been inducted... Read the news
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Jun 20, 2017 09:25am
@PAK-OZ
The jobs this will create will provide food, healthcare and education to many. A hand up (by way of employment) is better than a hand down (by way of welfare). Too bad Pakistanis never understand this simple equation.
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Jun 20, 2017 09:31am
To Indian guys: Keep these kind of news as low key - as Chinese do in an intelligent way. Don't gloat over it - even if the first F16 actually roles over the factory (which is a long way off, or may not even happen!).
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Jun 20, 2017 09:40am
Please do not confuse the issue.
India has not decided to use F16-Block 70 as of now.
LM is manufacturing these planes for cost reduction and bettering logistics. In the bargain there will be more job opportunities, experience on technologies.
The Govt wants to see India as manufacturing hub.
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Jun 20, 2017 09:43am
@BASIT_kHAN - "Where is Indian indigenous fighter LCA Tejas? Dead on arrival it seems."
LCA is coming up with a deadlier version. F-16 is more like a pawn on the chess board. Looks like a combination of F-16 and Tejas has started giving you sleepless nights. And yes BTW Lockheed Marteen has also agreed to provide us with the technologies that will be used on our planes.
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Jun 20, 2017 09:45am
Pakistani Friends, Its a sad fact that countries so culturally close have to live with animosity. To be very honest, I have been studying Pakistan in terms of Economic growth, Defense , Science and Technology, Education, Infra etc. Lets face it. If you visit India, you would clearly be able to determine the kind of progress that India has made over the past 25 years or so. Its behind China offcourse but much ahead of many other countries, thanks to the Democracy that it has enjoyed since Independence. Modi is a visionary Leader. His passion and obsession is India. The foundation was laid to an extent by Leader s like Rajiv Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, PVN, but Modi is implementing it at a faster pace. The best option for countries like Pakistan is to stop focussing on emotional issues like Kashmir, make friends with its cultural originator with whom we have lived for hundreds of years except when we broke up in 1947, achieve success together.
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Jun 20, 2017 09:46am
@Shakil, "In production since 1978. hmm, India should have opted for F-15 or MIG-35 instead."
Both are different types of planes with different roles. Mig-35 hyped plane not very much different than predecessors, with a lot of technical problems. We already have Sukhoi, that is way better than F-15.
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Jun 20, 2017 09:48am
Tatas are one of the most respectfull and trustworthy people
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Jun 20, 2017 09:48am
@PAK-OZ I guess u haven't been keeping track of what's happening in Indian food sector off late !! India has the second largest arrable land in the world, 3rd largest producer of all agricultural products, largest producers of milk and has the largest cattle population.
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Jun 20, 2017 09:50am
The Government has not yet given a confirmation or any official statement. F-16 block 70 is not bad, is in fact better than all other variants, and is war proven. But personally I would like India to go for a better platform.
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Jun 20, 2017 09:57am
it is a shame that a huge country like india is happy making someone's plane in India -
they should have developed their very own F19
but nonetheless - it is worrisome for Pakistan - we must do something to save ourselves
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Jun 20, 2017 09:59am
Some time I think wat will happen if India - Pakistan - China - Russia come together .free of terrorism and then open border movement...what will be the new world order....who will dare to match us...it will be amazing thing which I hope to see in my lifetime..I am a firm believer that if I got stuck in USA I will definitely seek and get help from a pakistani and not an native american..
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Jun 20, 2017 10:09am
This great news. Thanks to Modi'ji for his visionary initiatives.
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Jun 20, 2017 10:18am
Mean time India should invest in aviation engines for both defense and civilian purposes .
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Jun 20, 2017 10:18am
@Zak
You did not say the same when Pakistan-China joint production of fighter planes started. BTW, China has a better name at low quality and unprofessional business practices. Good Luck.
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Jun 20, 2017 10:29am
I run a 100 bedded hospital. Budget rs 18 Cr per year. Treat severe injuries, poisoning, stroke cases etc. Struggling to make both ends meet. Imagine how many such Hospitals can be built and run for the cost of one fighter plane. We conduct about 1500 surgeries an year.
All these war machine building , what a waste, wake up people of Pakistan and India.
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Jun 20, 2017 10:36am
So much negativity between the same people. Come on people we are the same people love each other.
Congrats India and Pakistan as we both have expertise in technology of F-16 how about we get together and make F-160 and show the world how strong we are put our heart and soul in loving each other.
IndoPak Blood Brothers 4 Life!
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Jun 20, 2017 10:38am
Like it or not. Modi is great for India
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Jun 20, 2017 10:39am
@Indian made in India Jaguar and Fiat are unknow to the world. No one buys it.
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Jun 20, 2017 10:42am
@Udhai : The world economy is moving on made in China. - Not made in India.
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Jun 20, 2017 10:44am
Good move!
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Jun 20, 2017 10:52am
For sure adore force is going to use this fighter jet bare minimum. The main idea will be too start defense exports to other countries while trying to ramp up local production and getting experience in indigenous design and development. In addition to that much needed jobs will be created.
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Jun 20, 2017 11:00am
@Ash20 First don't worry for Pakistan, Spares actually from Turkey and other European states. Secondly JF 17 block 3 equal to F-16 blk 70.
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Jun 20, 2017 11:05am
@M WASIM K india produce more car thn south korea mr intelligent. not only jaguar it is producing audi,bmw,mercedez also.
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Jun 20, 2017 11:05am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad :: Learn to introspect first.
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Jun 20, 2017 11:07am
It'll hardly match Pakistan single engine aircraft JF-17 Thunder.
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Jun 20, 2017 11:07am
@Zak that's why US thought of moving it out from US production. They need resources for their production of JSF 35 assembly lines as new orders have been approved for about 40 countries.
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Jun 20, 2017 11:09am
@Ravi Sankar Nice idea but why limited to f16 only. If No army, no airforce and no navy is required then that would have saved many times more. No salary expenses and no cost incurred on weapon. then we could save on police on as well..no need for them either. no need to spend on judges and judicial system as well.....Unfortunately we don't live in that perfect world.
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Jun 20, 2017 11:11am
There are F 18 then F22 and latest F35 so why modify decades of years old technology.
Waste of money resources and time.
Seems manufacturing competition between two industrial giants.
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Jun 20, 2017 11:30am
But i thought Modi and his BJP band-wagon wanted locally made in India aircrafts with their Tejas and kaveri engines.
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Jun 20, 2017 11:36am
@Imtiaz Ali Khan F-160 is manufactured by ford :)
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Jun 20, 2017 11:39am
If that is the case, in future whom to rely on for the requirements of badly needed spares for our Air Force..
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Jun 20, 2017 11:47am
The price of even one f-16 jet is enough to solve the farmer suicide problems in India due to extreme poverty.
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Jun 20, 2017 11:47am
@Zak hahaha , wishful thinking !
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Jun 20, 2017 11:53am
Setting two way alliance with Lockheed and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in co-manufacturing of F-35 will be more intellectual.
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Jun 20, 2017 12:08pm
@Hyder India is not buying it rather it's production will move to India . This will create employment as well as bring skill development advantages to India. Just FYI F16 Block 70 -80 are most potent fighters even today.
Pakistan has only 12-16 of made Block-40-50 C/D.
India has skilled people and they need job.
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Jun 20, 2017 12:10pm
India is a big market for defense contractors, and they are seeing the ling term opportunity here. I am sensing that many people are upset at this news. When a country becomes too dependent on others, then this kinda news does upset. Maybe Pakistan should look to ease tension with India and instead focus on the real problem that is within the countey; Extremism and sectarianism. You don't need any F-16s to fight that!
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Jun 20, 2017 12:26pm
Great news. we cordially welcome Lockheed martin in our country and thankful to him for showing interest in building partnership with us. This tie-up will not only help India but also India's neighbors like Afghanistan, Iran, Bangladesh and Sri lanka. Lets hope for the best.
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Jun 20, 2017 12:28pm
@M WASIM K you people are very loyal to china perhaps beyond recommended limits.
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Jun 20, 2017 12:41pm
Its a dated plane!
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Jun 20, 2017 12:44pm
Build for own use and export except to Pakistan . Learn how to build fast , Tatas should know since they build trucks , cars , JLR and have software plus hardware capability .India needs Gripen too and HAL Tejas mark 1,2, 3 , 4 ... Plus Indian version of Sukhoi 30 MKI ,exactly like the Chinese have copied , with American Engines .
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Jun 20, 2017 12:48pm
@BASIT_kHAN being built one per month then per week , superior to JF 17 by miles , J 10 by yards and F 16 by meters .
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Jun 20, 2017 12:51pm
Thank you Modiji. One more good achievement of Modiji and boost to Make in India project.
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Jun 20, 2017 12:52pm
@hmm Quality : Say good by to quality, not sure anyone would be interested in..
Don't worry about Indian quality. It will be the same or better than our own ISRO space vehicles and satellites..
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Jun 20, 2017 12:54pm
Lockheed Martin has sucked the mango properly for all these years and now supplying second hand products to India/Tata. Tata lost huge amount of money when they bought second hand Rover cars and steel mills of United Kingdom.
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Jun 20, 2017 12:54pm
@BASIT_kHAN Hal has already made 2 tejas fighters and has delivered them to Indian Air Force. The jet engine used in these planes is that of GE. There was an MOU with France for developing the Indian Jet engine (Kaveri) during the same time. This engine was already 70-75 % completed by India. France would help India in completing it. We are moving towards completely indigeneously made fighters.. Brace for the news of Kaveri engine in 2 years.
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Jun 20, 2017 01:00pm
Ultimately lead to disaster, the said amount may be utilized for the welfare of people. A nuclear country and still feeling threat from neighbor does not make any sense...
This is insanity...
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Jun 20, 2017 01:04pm
@Ravo Just FYI Tata advanced system is already making parts of key cargo airoplanes/fighter planes for most of european companies from last 18 years.
Instead of thinking war , just take this as great opportunity to skill indian talent and produce more manufactoruing jobs. War will never bring industry , rather Strong Industry will avoid conflicts between 2 countries. We need work so that no evil thought runs through mind and we need food for survival.
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Jun 20, 2017 01:09pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad lets see..india is not fool buddy..they must have taken that point into consideration as well
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Jun 20, 2017 01:10pm
@M WASIM K : JF 17 block 3 equal to F-16 blk 70... No it is not. Read Jane's defense..
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Jun 20, 2017 01:11pm
Its not about a better aircraft or dated design or poor quality...its just about creating Jobs in India. These aircraft will probably meet the same fate as those of the MIGs, what matters is that the factories will provide Jobs to thousands. ..you never know if they do well Lockheed may start building latest models as well
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Jun 20, 2017 01:12pm
Block 70 is the most advance F-16 ever which will be made in India. This is the next generation fighter with latest technology of avionics, mid life update system and fitted with a new technology for stealth and threat detection capability undetected by radars. It has an unparalleled survivability with certified advanced electronics and weopens on-board. India is not looking for only assembling but complete manufacturing with transfer of entire technology. India will first manufacture 100 F-16's for its own use and then take orders to do business excess of $20 billions.
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Jun 20, 2017 01:17pm
@Saif Zulfiqar : Tata lost huge amount of money when they bought second hand Rover cars and steel mills of United Kingdom..
TATA has enough money to buy Pakistan..
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Jun 20, 2017 01:23pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad “This unprecedented F-16 production partnership between the world’s largest defence contractor and India’s premier industrial house provides India the opportunity to produce, operate and export F-16 Block 70 aircraft, the newest and most advanced version of the world’s most successful, combat-proven multi-role fighter,” the two companies said.
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Jun 20, 2017 01:23pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Lockheed and Tata said moving production to India would still retain jobs in the US. F-16 production in India supports thousands of Lockheed Martin and F-16 supplier jobs in the US, creates new manufacturing jobs in India, and positions Indian industry at the centre of the most extensive fighter aircraft supply ecosystem in the world, the companies said. “This agreement builds on the already established joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Tata and underscores the relationship and commitment between the two companies,” said N Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons.
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Jun 20, 2017 01:42pm
@Sudarshan Keshav this is make in india project. It means from components manufacturing till transfer of technology will be made in india.
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Jun 20, 2017 01:43pm
@hmm Quality good for pakistan, so why r u worried. Go and enjoy
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Jun 20, 2017 01:45pm
India can supply its friend Afghanistan with latest Block 70/80 if necessary..
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Jun 20, 2017 01:45pm
@VP its already developing. Tejas mk2 will take to air soon. Also its navy version is ready.
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Jun 20, 2017 01:50pm
@BASIT_kHAN already flying in skirs and protecting india from enemies. Tejas mk2 and its navy version are also ready. Will see them in skies very soon.
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Jun 20, 2017 01:51pm
@JJ that require huge money which pakistan govt dont have
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Jun 20, 2017 01:58pm
With, Trump campaign of bringing Jobs home, this is not possible.
Plus Lockheed Martin should not invest in a Nuclear Polarised regions.
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Jun 20, 2017 03:07pm
For all the Pakistani analysts here commenting on this deal - please try to understand the nature of the deal and the capabilities of the modern block 70 aircraft which is quite different from older generation f16s. Also for the brilliant comments which claim it will be substandard quality- grow up this is not India of the 1970s every high tech industry is setting up manufacturing here. The boss of Lockheed Martin is not a fool he knows india will have to service his global customers.
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Jun 20, 2017 03:10pm
@hmm Quality would definitely better than cheap Chinese crap.
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Jun 20, 2017 04:49pm
@Desi US is discontinuing the use of F-16. They were going to shut down the production line for F-16. This arrangement of shifting manufacturing in India saved some jobs in US, made some money for Lockhead and jobs for India. I see it as win-win agreement.
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Jun 20, 2017 04:50pm
@Indian In few years head of Lockhead may be an Indian.
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Jun 20, 2017 06:06pm
@Imtiaz Ali Khan Brother. I have followed your postingz and respect you. But getting together is not possible. Ideologies matter. Our countries have different idelogies. Best case would be a dignified, respectful co-existence. You mind your affairs and I mind mine.Apart from that an agreed intelligence info sharing, limited security exchanges, normal trade, commerce.
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Jun 21, 2017 07:54am
F-16 is a technology of the yesteryears - true; the quality of F-16 will go down if made in India - false - India has made indigenous spaceships and conquered Mars by taking the shortest route and time as no one else. The question is what is India to get out of this old technology? Well - it may be old but it is a technology that India wasn't privy to so far. Mastering this technology will help them make longer & stronger strides in the progress of their own indigenous technology.
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Jun 21, 2017 08:10am
Isn't it ironic ? How will it help common and poor people. Majority components will be from outside.
Why not better relationship among nation in this neighborhood reduce weapon need ???
Aren't nuclear weapons enough. Guess what we keep falling for banana in our tailpipe.
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Jun 21, 2017 08:29am
@Tata Employee This is a dumb investment. With nuclear empowered region, nobody would dare to attack anybody. These jets will remain as extremely expensive toys. Government should have used this money for any productive use.
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Jun 21, 2017 08:30am
@VIJAY B. Dear Mr Vijay, I would like to bring forth few points. Firstly it will create an industrial zone conducive to R & D. India is not going to absorb all the aircraft produced here, but these are meant for rest of the allies as well. Secondly, once the aircraft is obsolete, the factory gets upgraded to next level fighter production, after all how many old manufacturing plants you have seen closing. And by this standard every third year all the manufacturers will be setting up a new factory. So this is a very good opportunity for India to move into this sector. You may or may not like it, but geo-political scenario in this part of world requires this kind of money to be spent. And lastly for your information, China and Pakistan do not have anything equivalent of this, though many readers have felt that it will be obsolete soon. Then so be it, but if you are still better than adversary then it serves the purpose it is intended for. It seems you just wanted to comment for nothing.
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Jun 21, 2017 08:57am
Forth generation jet production in the time of 5th generation planes, seems a deal very much favoured for US to carry on its R&D in house.
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Jun 21, 2017 08:58am
@Imtiaz Ali Khan So much negativity between the same people. Come on people we are the same people love each other.
Congrats India and Pakistan as we both have expertise in technology of F-16 how about we get together and make F-160 and show the world how strong we are put our heart and soul in loving each other.
IndoPak Blood Brothers 4 Life!
I just love your positivity!!!:):)
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Jun 21, 2017 09:34am
So Is China setting up a plant in Pakistan for their J* series ?
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Jun 21, 2017 09:47am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad What a silly joke? This will end up not different than the so-called "building" of Russian MIG fighter jets by Indian firms, more that 70 percent of which ended-up being crashed or declared either unfit to fly.
r u a medical doctore of phd, from a madrassa, pls clarify
building mig gave us experisnce which was used in many fields in india, including isro
u make mistakes and u learn, or u just order and use, in which case it the machiine stalls u cannot even repair it, and need the seller to service and repar it
guess u will not understand, needs greay meterial
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Jun 21, 2017 09:55am
@Indian @Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad that was with a PSU Hal. Tata happens to be already in joint ventures with Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Airbus and Sikorsky and developing equipment for there aircraft's. Do you not know TATA?
tata also make jaguar, and range rovers cars ,that are sold all over the world
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Jun 21, 2017 11:19am
Seems lot of people here have expertise then these two collaborating companies.
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Jun 21, 2017 11:21am
The F-16 plant shifting has nothing to do with Modi. Lockheed Martin wants to shift it for lowering costs. Indian Air Force may not even buy these planes. They will be manufactrured for world market.
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Jun 21, 2017 11:23am
@Manshera ... I agree. China will be jumping with joy as now for sure PAF will have nowhere to go but China for better fighter jets -- because Dassault, Sukhois, Migs and Saab-Gripen will be entirely new platforms for PAF and too costly. China gonna have its first real export of fighter jets - which till now, no one had shown any keen interest in. So its Win Win Win for India-US and China on the other hand.
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Jun 21, 2017 11:24am
It would be great if both INDIA and PAKISTAN could co exist
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Jun 21, 2017 11:25am
@Zak ... can you please elaborate why slaes will be down and product will be substandard..... if not, I will take it as a case of sour grapes.
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Jun 21, 2017 11:26am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Your information is completely wrong. These were not Indian made jets. They crashed because they were still being used after their expiry date. Similar things happen with Pakistani old planes too.
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Jun 21, 2017 11:32am
Very good for india , India is progressing day by day and going beyond cricket .
Good to see india is getting into all sports , infra, software
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Jun 21, 2017 11:54am
i am more happy because it will create advanced technical jobs in India
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Jun 21, 2017 12:11pm
@Roman With all due respect brother I disagree with you, we can open something like EU/GCC US/CAD etc.,. I love India it's the same as Pakistan. Living in Pakistan in Sindhu Dharti I don't have to even go to India, I'm perhaps living in the most Indian soil I can because that is where it all started. I'm blessed and happy but surely it pains me seeing my people like this in IndoPak because all the problems will and shall be solve by giving love in our minds and hearts a space. It seems we are looking at few decades of separation but not looking 5000 + years of togetherness. We were, we are and we will be always be brothers. We will come together because I believe strongly in the words of our Gurus, Saint's and Fakirs they guide me not these so call popular leaders.
Dil mila keh rahoon gaa yeh Indians or Pakistanion that all yaar I don't want anything I have everything.
Love to all.
IndoPak Blood Brothers 4 Life!
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Jun 21, 2017 12:14pm
@Hyder : If F-16 is inferior why we are struggling to get them from US?
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Jun 21, 2017 12:17pm
@PAK-OZ
India is net exporter of food grains and pharmaceutical products. Read abt it. Our medicines are in great demand in Europe n USA.
Google it.
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Jun 21, 2017 01:25pm
Thats a great new for indian defence industry this will bring more jobs and boost defence and aerospace sector.
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Jun 21, 2017 01:32pm
@hyat Please show same sympathy for your own people whatever India buys in from its 2% GDP that it spend on its defense while your country spends around 4%. However what you don't understand is this projects brings billions of FDI which will bring thousands of Jobs.
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Jun 21, 2017 01:34pm
@Pardesi I think India sees this as a job generating deal. F16s will be exported from India and some of them will obviously become part of India's arsenal. India will eventually have its own squadron of Tejas in a more advanced version and which will be 5th generation fighter aircraft. So, more than defence need, this seems to be a business deal for generatin employment in India.
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Jun 21, 2017 01:39pm
@Imtiaz Ali Khan But he question is will your airforce use F-16s "Made in INDIA"
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Jun 21, 2017 01:46pm
@Qabayel Khan ....No match for the sound it produces
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Jun 21, 2017 01:53pm
@Mrityunjay Tripathi: Please don't try to cover up, the planes are crashing because of poor standards of maintenance by the Indian Airforce, and training of its pilots. Also check the rate of crashes in the international information relative to Air Forces and you will find Indian Airforce on the top of the list for crashes.
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Jun 21, 2017 02:01pm
@A Comment No China is not setting up any factory in Pakistan, but Pakistan has had its own aircraft factories Which are producing light combat fighter aircrafts and its ordinance and also exporting them to other countries.
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Jun 21, 2017 02:23pm
F-16s are the most practical and most successful fighter jets of human history. The sheer fact that the replacement of F-16s are F-22s and F-35s, each of which cost USD 300 million plus for the aircraft alone says a lot about F16s. But I am not sure if the "joint manufacturing" offer is lucrative enough for India. India is likely to either invest in improving its own LCA Tejas or go for F-16 only in case of ToT to the extent possible (80-90%). Otherwise, India is likely to look at SAAB Gripen that come without several pangs deals with USA suffer with.
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Jun 21, 2017 02:27pm
@Desi
"If US buys these planes from India, then these planes will be real F-16. If US does not buy these planes from India, then these planes are of sub standard quality and the only thing worth while in these planes is the name F-16. Just remember US never gives the latest technology to anyone, what they will give is atleast 5 years old technology."
From India's perspective, the made in India F-16s (if it goes that way) don't need to be USAF worthy, they just need to be better than those in PAF.
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Jun 21, 2017 02:54pm
8.9 Billion for 36 aircraft, it means around 25 billion rupees for a single monster.
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Jun 21, 2017 03:01pm
India and Pakistan are both naïve to run in the arms race because of partition and its unfinished agenda. I pity the poor young jawans who die for nothing each day for the last 70 years. SHAME!
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Jun 21, 2017 04:36pm
@Zak Indian engineering goods are far better, though relatively expensive tas compared to Chinese goods.
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Jun 21, 2017 04:37pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad The whole plant would move from Texas to India.
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Jun 21, 2017 04:52pm
One thing is sure that without benefiting India this project won't go ahead. And TATA is involved means it is a profitable business.
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Jun 21, 2017 05:24pm
@Steevan Rise above the past send me mangoes I will send you some of ours Mirpuri mangoes. If it's for me dost I will send all these planes back to the outsiders and make our own planes by collaborating with IndoPak engineers. I hope I invoke love your hearts for your Pakistani brethren, because dost that is the only healer baba said it long ago.
Pakistan is protected yaar I don't worry about it, not because of deadly weapons which sadly we have but because it's the land of Guru Nanak G, its' the land of Data Sahib, it's the birth place of the pure Sanatana dharma what worries Almighty itself is protecting this sacred land of the Indus Valley. I just go to the Sindhu Dharti maa for meditation and pray for Shanti for all her children, perhaps one day Sindhu maa will listen my prayers of seeing my family come together and this Childish behavior of poking each other for pain ends. Inshallah!
Om Shanti Om! None greater than Shanti.
Love.
IndoPak Blood Brothers 4 Life
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Jun 21, 2017 05:30pm
The so-called champions of democracy building and selling weapons to kill humans!
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Jun 21, 2017 05:34pm
@Imtiaz Ali Khan Hatsoff brother, May Sai Baba and all other saints give you a long happy life. I really Envy your postiveness and plain hearted speaking.
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Jun 21, 2017 07:31pm
@Imtiaz Ali Khan ................Bro, perhaps, you are the only Pakistani that I know of who acknowledged 5000+ years of co-existence.
I have repeated on these forums, several times, about the common culture heritage, history an ofcourse the DNA.
Bro, I repeat we do not have a history of 5000+ years...It is much more...no once can count. Because Aryans never came to India from anywhere. They were born here in the India-Pakistan-Bangladesh region.
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Jun 21, 2017 07:39pm
@Ikram - "The so-called champions of democracy building and selling weapons to kill humans!"
Of weapons are there to kill enemy humans. What's your point? Because we are a democracy we sell all our weapons and start doing meditation under trees? At least write something that makes sense.
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Jun 21, 2017 08:04pm
Awesome..GB India-US prtnshp. keep improving, keep bettering yourselves...ameen
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Jun 21, 2017 09:48pm
Now Pak and China can buy F16's from neighborhood!!!
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Jun 22, 2017 02:49am
rule and divide policy existing since 1947. Giving false threats to poor people of both sides. The money should spend on welfare of people actually spending on arms.
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Jun 22, 2017 04:42am
@hmm Quality Sorry India can't build good quality products that Pakistan can . If you know which aircraft is better than F-16 built in Pakistan then please educate us.
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Jun 22, 2017 06:44am
good for India, their engineering base desreves this. Pakistan need to seriously overhaul education and engineering institutions. looks like now Pakistan will have to wait for spare parts/replacement from India
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Jun 22, 2017 07:18am
@Chatterjee Did you read the article brother? This is block 70. The older ones had block 40/50/62 etc. and then the mid-life update. The project was shelved in 2010 as the next update was meant to be a major overhaul. India has picked up here and revived the F16 project for the major overhaul in partnership with the company.
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Jun 22, 2017 09:20am
really stupid step from India. As it is becoming nothing more than dumping ground of f16. India will start inducting from 2030 min coz moving entire assembly line takes time and by that time Paf will be retiring its f16 one from 1980's and inducting fifth generation fighters. I smell alot of bureaucratic corruption
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Jun 22, 2017 09:46am
@Imtiaz Ali Khan EU, GCC yes but an adapted version of it. For that trust has to be denveloped. Armies of both the countries should be shaking hands. Only India & Pakistan armies are at loggerheads with each other in this region. India believes that boundaries cannot be redrawn. If this can be sorted out, rest will follow.
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Jun 22, 2017 09:52am
@Imtiaz Ali Khan If both can their hearts together with love, Iqbal sahib, we don't need any F16, F160. We will only need more passenger planes for travel within.
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Jun 22, 2017 10:10am
Well lets see their performance.
I wonder the dancing moves being performed by indian made F-16s in march pasts and during missions......
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Jun 22, 2017 10:37am
@Saif Zulfiqar realy got some right information jaguar and land rover once again no 1 in European market and still company overtake by tata is running in good condition And UK govt also invest in these
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Jun 22, 2017 10:44am
Wish if we had better road net works, schools,hospitals offering quality health care for all,good security,parks, water supply electricity supply , the list could go on and on.
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Jun 22, 2017 10:49am
It will easy for US to supply to Asian nations including for Pakistan.
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Jun 22, 2017 11:06am
Teja on the back burner damn that's bad
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Jun 22, 2017 12:20pm
@Shoaib Hope you saw how India's satellite danced its way to Mars. I am always surprised at the audacity of Pakistani comments which try to put India's technical prowess in the league of Pakistan. F16s that you crave for, that company craves to make it in India.I hope you get it.
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Jun 22, 2017 12:49pm
Nice but what value it will add to Indian economy as a whole
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Jun 22, 2017 01:48pm
TATA ENTER ANY BUSINESS WITH TIE UP AND THEN BECOME LEADER IN THAT STREAM EXAMPLE OF TRUCK BUSINESS OF BMW, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY,TEA BUSINESS, STEEL AND MANY MORE
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Jun 22, 2017 02:14pm
This plane is 40 year old design which America itself is phasing out. That's why they want to flog the plant to india.
The article doesn't say that the Indians have agreed to buy the plant yet, I can't see it happening as it would be very expensive and buying essentially a 20th century plane instead of a fifth generation plane. Even the Indians can't be that stupid.
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Jun 22, 2017 02:19pm
@Rajababu is he? He comes across as clueless and inept to me take the attempt to remove notes from circulation, this attempt to try to pretend india is something it clearly is not will also fail.
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Jun 22, 2017 02:43pm
@PunMur You have hit the nail on the head brother. I also hope that the common spence will prevail.
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Jun 22, 2017 02:46pm
India is finally buying what it dubbed as rubbish ahead of trump modi meeting. Keep spending money on defence and let the people remain poor, not having even basic facilities.
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Jun 22, 2017 02:55pm
The ability if the west to get two countries to fight so that they can sell more weapons is brilliant. These third world countries fall for it everytime. Pakistan and India should concentrate in feeding its people first
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Jun 22, 2017 03:28pm
Today F16 in India, tomorrow Raptor.. India will make significant improvement in Defense in next 10 years. As is said by even china india will be 8 billion economy by 2025 and we need solid defense lines...
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Jun 22, 2017 03:42pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad
Your comment reminds of a popular saying - "Ignorance is a bliss". It shows you know nothing about Tatas and the quality they bring to the table. This is not some local "mohalla chaap" company attempting to build these. The same company that manufactures Jaguar. By the way, the steel you use in your household that is lasting forever, is most likely built by Tata or Mittal. Your myopic view of not realizing the importance of relf reliance will hurt you only and help indians further. Keep importing anything and everything from the rest of the world. The world is happy to sell you stuff and make profits. I am sure you dont have too much bargaining power either because you dont have a choice but to import. Good going. Great thinking.
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Jun 22, 2017 03:44pm
Pakistan air force is very knowledgeable about the performance of this 70's technology. India beware
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