What is the update on the MRFA programme? What kind of engagement do you have with the stakeholders in India?

Lockheed Martin continues to build upon our more than three decades of partnership with India, expand collaborations with local industry to support the evolution of indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem, and further advance India’s strategic security and industrial capabilities. We plan to further expand this partnership with India through our unprecedented F-21 offer for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

We are confident F-21 will truly be a game-changer for the IAF, Indian industry and India-US strategic ties. It is the best solution to meet the IAF capability needs, provide ‘Make in India’ industrial opportunities and accelerate India-US cooperation on advanced technologies. In fact, if selected, the F-21 would be exclusively produced in India.

Our successful joint ventures in Hyderabad established over a decade ago—­Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL) and Tata Sikorsky Aerospace Limited (TSAL), have been instrumental in helping India achieve its goal of developing an aerospace and defence supplier ecosystem, promote indigenous manufacturing and participating in the global supply chain. Located in Hyderabad, the TLMAL facility manufactures major aerostructure components for the C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft. This is the sole supplier of these components to Lockheed Martin and is an integral part of our global supply chain. To date, TLMAL has manufactured 130 C-130J empennages.

It also manufactures other aerostructure components like the centre wing box. Recently, work has also begun to create a first of its kind autoclave capability for composites.

The TSAL facility manufactures aerospace components for commercial helicopters and aircraft and has expanded to include aircraft engine components for aerospace industry companies as well. As of now, TSAL has delivered 154 S-92 cabins to date. The facility’s machines, manpower and talent are world class. It produces some of th