Watch CBS News

Fort Worth F-16 Production Could Move To India

Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter

FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - Instead of Fort Worth, Lockheed Martin could soon be building some of their F-16 fighter jets in India.

If the Indian Air Force adds F-16s to their fleet the deal would involve India producing the latest version of the fighter -- the F-16 Block 70.

A Lockheed official calls the offer involving the new fighter jet "unprecedented".
Lockheed is facing competition from rival Boeing's FA-18E as well as French and Swedish options, and all the deals involve opening a production facility in India.

As it stands, the number of orders already placed for the F-16 would keep Lockheed U.S. production line open until at least late 2017 and as far out as 2020 if additional foreign orders come in.

(©2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.