American defense giant Lockheed Martin said that the company has submitted a proposal to the Government of India to produce and export the latest version of fighter aircraft F 16 Block 70 as part of the ‘Make in India’ program.

Randall L Howard, F16 Business Development head at Lockheed Martin said the company wants to make F 16-Block 70 “for India, from India and export to the world”.

The company is expecting $15 billion worth orders for the latest version of the aircraft. The company believes that it can export at least 100 aircraft to countries in the Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said India will choose at least one more aircraft, besides the indigenous Tejas, for the IAF through the ‘Make in India’ route.

The company termed India as the “new epicenter of the world’s most extensive, industrial defence network”.

Company sources said besides catering to India’s demand, they are also looking at a potential export order of another 100 aircraft.

Lockheed officials said the US Air Force will continue to fly F16s for decades to come.