LM offers enhanced F-16 to India, redesignated F-21

Lockheed Martin is offering a new and enhanced variant of the F-16 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft to India, which it has designated the F-21.

The F-21 features elements not seen on other variants of the F-16, including a retractable refuelling probe and triple-rail missile pylons seen in this artist’s impression. (Lockheed Martin)

Launched at the Aero India exhibition on 20 February, the F-21 is a national-specific version of the latest F-16V Block 70 aircraft that features a retractable refuelling probe, a large-area display (LAD), a dorsal spine that can be modified to suit mission needs, triple-rail missile launchers on two corresponding underwing hardpoints, as well as unspecified internal components.

As well as the national-specific upgrades that include the probe so as to be compatible with the Indian Air Force (IAF’s) hose-and-drogue tankers, the F-21 also features all the F-16V Block 70 enhancements. These comprise the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, a new Raytheon mission computer, the Link 16 datalink, modern cockpit displays, an enhanced electronic warfare system, and a ground-collision avoidance system.

A key enhancement of the F-21 is the large-area display, which will greatly improve the pilot’s ability to use the sensor fusion technologies that have reportedly been included in the aircraft. (Lockheed Martin)

Lockheed Martin originally offered India an advanced variant of the F-16 based on the Block 60 that had previously been sold to the United Arab Emirates, dubbed F-16IN. This bid was filed under the Multirole Combat Aircraft (MRCA) competition (later to become the Medium MRCA [MMRCA] competition) in 2007 but the company was unsuccessful in this attempt.