Lockheed Martin announces support to India Innovation Growth Programme Startup Conference

US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin has announced its support to the India Innovation Growth Programme Startup Conference to be held in New Delhi next week as part of its effort to enhance the Indian innovation ecosystem, a top official of the company said.

The India Innovation Growth Programme (IIGP) 2.0 is a unique tripartite initiative of the India's Department of Science and Technology (DST), Lockheed Martin and Tata Trusts.

It aims to enhance the Indian innovation ecosystem by enabling innovators and entrepreneurs through the stages of ideation and innovation, to develop technology-based solutions for tomorrow.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in conjunction with its Rotary, Mission Systems, Missiles and Fire Control business areas as well as our Indian partner Tata will be supporting the India Innovation Growth Programme Startup Conference next week in Delhi," Vivek Lall, vice president strategy and business development for Lockheed Martin said.

Addressing at the Second leadership Summit of the US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF) on Thursday here, Lall said Lockheed Martin's Tier 1 suppliers would be present at the event which will also have nearly 40 Indian startups.

"A primary objective will be to promote and enhance India's innovation ecosystem through partnerships and relationships facilitated through this function," he said.

Lall also announced that Lockheed Martin and Tata will host a three-day Suppliers Conference immediately after the innovation conference in New Delhi.

"Lockheed Martin and Tata will host a three-day conference where nearly 30 of Lockheed Martin's Tier 1 suppliers will have the opportunity to meet with over 70 Indian companies of all sizes to form relationships, assess capabilities, generate partnerships and further enhance the Government of India's Make in India' objectives," he said.

During the event, Lall spoke about Lockheed Martin's experience in establishing international defence-and aerospace-industrial ecosystem.

The F21 is an unprecedented India unique fighter with an unparalleled Make in India proposition as well as opportunity to plug into the world's largest fighter sustainment market of USD 165 billion, he said.

He underlined the strong collaboration between Lockheed Martin and Tata Aerospace and Defence.

"Through multiple joint venture business arrangements with Tata Aerospace and Defence, Lockheed Martin and Tata have successfully performed and delivered mobility, fighter and helicopter platforms to India. The C-130 program represents a strong legacy of partnership between the US and India," Lall said.

"All C-130Js delivered to customers around the world have major aerostructure components from India included in their build through partnership with TASL in Hyderabad," he said.

Lall said Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, also relies on TASL in Hyderabad as the manufacturing base for its global supply of cabin aerostructures for the S-92 helicopter.

Building on these and other successful partnerships, we recently indicated our intent to commence F-16 wing production in India for all future F-16 customers. The F-16 wing production in India integrates India into the global supply chain of the world's largest and most successful fighter aircraft program, he said adding that F-16 wing (prototype) manufacturing has already commenced.