Unlocking Opportunities: Insights from Lockheed Martin’s India Country Head on Strengthening Collaborations

New Delhi: Over 30 Indian companies recently met with representatives from Lockheed Martin and other global partners in Bengaluru. The goal? To explore new collaborations and showcase their tech skills to support upcoming programs for the Indian armed forces.

The conference, which took place on November 3, marked the 11th India Suppliers Conference hosted by Lockheed Martin. This event is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to strengthen India’s defense industrial base and connect Indian firms with its global supply chains. Lockheed Martin has been partnered with India for over 30 years and is focused on enhancing local manufacturing.

After the conference, Lockheed Martin’s Supply Chain teams plan to visit nearly 20 supplier facilities across India. These visits aim to evaluate capabilities and foster new partnerships. Abby Lilly, Lockheed Martin’s Chief Supply Chain Officer, emphasized that global sourcing and manufacturing excellence will be key to strengthening India-US ties in defense.

Attendance at the conference included more than 100 delegates, with nearly 50 business-to-business meetings arranged. This gathering featured representatives from large companies, small and medium enterprises, as well as startups. Notably, Gunjan Krishna, Karnataka’s Commissioner for Industrial Development, highlighted the state’s rise as a hub for advanced manufacturing.

Michael Fernandez, the India country head for Lockheed Martin, spoke about the company’s commitment to enhancing India’s defense ecosystem. He also mentioned that they aim to work closely with Indian suppliers, developing innovative solutions and improving their access to global markets.

During the event, Lockheed Martin recognized outstanding Indian suppliers. Rossell Techsys Ltd. received praise for its support to Lockheed’s production programs, while Veer-O-Metals Pvt. Ltd. was acknowledged for its quality control and affordability initiatives.

As India continues to strengthen its defense capabilities, collaborations like this can greatly enhance local manufacturing and innovation, helping the country achieve self-reliance in defense production.

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DEFENCE, LOCKHEED MARTIN, WE LOOK FORWARD TO DEEPENING COLLABORATIONS: LOCKHEED MARTIN'S INDIA COUNTRY HEAD