06.10.2009
India decided to find new foreign partners to develop deck-based version of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) fighter also known as HAL Tejas. The US corporation Lockheed Martin had been previously considered for that role but did not manage to participate project because of absence of the US Government permission, said Defense News.
The American manufacturer could not obtain authorized license in time, so we made a decision to find new partner, said the source in Indian MoD. It was previously planned that
Lockheed Martin would render advisory services in design of new aircraft.
The military intends to look for alteration in western countries out of the US to save the program from further delays, said high-ranking official of Indian MoD to
Defense News. According to the publisher, representatives of
Lockheed Martin in India declined to comment this information.
Indian military officials plan to use domestically designed deck-based fighters at aircraft carrier which construction was started in February 2009. On the other hand, manufacturer of the fighter needs help of foreign experts to reduce aircraft's weight on 500 kg approx, and also to design new landing gear, engine elements and other components.
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