Lockheed Martin, Boeing and EADS (Eurofighter) have submitted their respective offset proposals for the $6 billion Indian MMRCA tender. The other contenders- MiG and SAAB Gripen too are believed to have sent in their offset offers. The submissions were made on August 4, 2008.

Boeing's proposal firmly supports the Indian government's goal of a vibrant indigenous aerospace industry. It also foresees India playing a key role in enhancing Boeing's global competitiveness and growth through a series of strategic partnerships with Indian industries.

"The Boeing Company has been, and will continue to be, a true partner to India," said Chris Chadwick, president of Boeing Military Aircraft. "To that end, our IP proposal draws upon the company's vast pool of human talent, technical expertise and aerospace and defense resources, to both support India's defense modernization drive and to help spur growth of a world-class Indian aerospace industry".

To help meet the MMRCA IP requirements, Boeing assembled a formidable industrial lineup that includes the Super Hornet industry supplier team (16 leading aerospace and defense companies with combined revenues of over $454 billion), and Boeing's Indian IP partners (37 public- and private-sector Indian companies).

"We are already establishing the groundwork that will lead us to success in this large undertaking through early engagement of Indian industry, both public and private," said Vivek Lall, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems vice president and India country head.

The alliances began forming in earnest in November 2006, when Boeing hosted a conference in Bangalore at which 25 of its key suppliers were introduced to more than 25 India-based aerospace and engineering services companies.

Earlier this year, Boeing reached an agreement to form a joint venture with Tata Industries Limited, part of the Tata Group, one of India's largest business conglomerates. In December 2007, Boeing signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, which is adopting Boeing's Lean and best-management practices. Boeing has also signed an MOU with international engineering firm Larsen & Toubro for joint exploration of business opportunities in the Indian defense market.

EADS: Eurofighter

A comprehensive Offset offer was submitted on August 4 2008 to the Indian Authorities by EADS, acting on behalf of the entire Eurofighter Typhoon community. "Our document provides the Indian Authorities with a fully-fledged response to the Eurofighter Offset requirements and spells out inherent and unrivalled benefits for India", stated Bernhard Gerwert, CEO of Military Air Systems, an integrated business unit of EADS Defence & Security, on this occasion.

Gerwert said: "We are now looking forward to further detailing our offer with the Indian governmental bodies as well as the Indian industry representatives and are prepared for all subsequent discussions." Gerwert continued: "Earlier this year we invited India to become a member of the successful Eurofighter family. Today I want to repeat this message: India is our partner of choice and we are interested in long-lasting and mutually beneficial political, industrial and military relations, which are based on our dedication for equal, fair and true partnership".

Four nations, four air forces and the four leading European aerospace companies EADS, EADS Casa, BAE Systems and Alenia Finmeccanica have joined forces to fully support all military, technological and industrial aspects of the Eurofighter campaign in India.

"Lockheed Martin is committed to working with our industrial partners and Indian defense industry to develop long-term, high-value projects that bring technology and sustainable business to India," said Orville Prins, Lockheed Martin's Business Development Vice President.

As the world's leading performer of successful offset programs, Lockheed Martin has a long history of delivering on commitments. Lockheed Martin has established four F-16 production lines outside of the United States. Additionally, the company has successfully achieved more than $37 billion in offset program credits in 40 countries, all without default or penalty. A proven cornerstone of these programs is the ability to provide transfer of technology to program partners.

"Partnering with Lockheed Martin provides India the opportunity to develop advanced defense technologies, manufacturing capabilities and defense systems.

Additionally, India will benefit by leveraging the strength of the F-16IN industrial team, which includes many of the world's largest and most innovative companies, all ready to work with Indian industry in developing world-class aerospace and defense technologies," said Prins.

Today's offset proposal submission is the second part of India's request for proposals for the MMRCA. The first submission was the program proposal itself in which Lockheed Martin proposes to build the most technologically advanced F-16 ever conceived, uniquely tailored to meet or exceed all of the requirements of the Indian Air Force.