Lockheed Martin, a global leader in defense, recently concluded its 10th annual India Suppliers Conference in Bengaluru. This event represents another significant milestone in the company’s dedication to fostering partnerships within India’s defense manufacturing sector. The event, which demonstrated the expanding partnership between Lockheed Martin and Indian companies, was attended by nearly 50 organizations, including large corporations, MSMEs, and start-ups, all of which were eager to exhibit their capabilities.
Karnataka’s Minister for Information Technology and Biotechnology, Priyank Mallikarjun Kharge, inaugurated the conference, emphasizing the state’s critical role in fostering self-reliance through manufacturing. Kharge underscored Karnataka’s aspiration to be a leader in the aerospace and defense sectors by emphasizing its contribution to the “local for global” initiative. Karnataka is striving to establish itself as a global aerospace hub, as 40% of the country’s aerospace startups are situated in the state. Christopher W. Hodges, the Consul General of the United States in Chennai, echoed this sentiment, stating that a partnership-driven approach would strengthen strategic ties between the United States and India.
Michael Fernandez, Lockheed Martin’s India Country Head, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to the Indian defense ecosystem. “Our objective is to identify industrial partners that can satisfy the requirements of Lockheed Martin’s global supply chain and the Indian armed forces, in accordance with the Government of India’s vision of ‘Make in India, Make for the World.'” Fernandez stated. His comments emphasized Lockheed’s long-term strategy of not only promoting innovation but also opening global markets to Indian companies.
The recognition of two Indian firms for their exceptional contributions to Lockheed Martin’s global projects was a significant highlight of the conference. Rossell India Limited was recognized by Lockheed’s Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) Global Supply Chain Organization for its commitment to engineering changes that are essential to the MH-60R program and its timely support. Veer-O-Metals, an additional Indian manufacturer, was also recognized for its exceptional customer-focused approach and responsiveness, which significantly contributed to the program’s success.
Over 120 delegates participated in the two-day event, which featured more than 70 business-to-business meetings between Indian and international companies, such as Honeywell, GE Aerospace, and Pratt & Whitney. The objective of these meetings was to investigate novel opportunities for partnership and collaboration.
After the conference, Lockheed Martin’s supply chain teams visited approximately 20 suppliers throughout India to conduct a more thorough evaluation of their capabilities and to investigate potential strategic alliances. The strengthening of these partnerships is indicative of a growing alignment with India’s defense manufacturing ambitions, which is paving the way for future collaborations in both domestic and international markets as Lockheed continues to expand its footprint in India.
