Bangkok, 'Lockheed Martin' announced support for Thailand to develop the Thai aircraft industry, F-16 Block 70/72 fighter jets, jointly develop labor, purchase domestic parts.Lockheed Martin, a world-class aerospace and defense company and a manufacturer of fighter aircraft from the United States, has announced its readiness to support the participation in the aviation industry and the driving force of the Thai economy for the F-16 Block 70/72 through the Future Fighter Program, said Amy Burnett, Vice President of Business Development, Fighter Aircraft Integration Group, Lockheed Martin.Lockheed Martin recognizes the value of its 40-year partnership with the Royal Thai Air Force and is confident that the F-16 Block 70/72 will complement the RTAF's current F-16 fleet to deliver the advanced 21st century security capabilities and performance required to meet Thailand's national defense needs.The proposal for the F-16 Block 70/72 fighter jet procurement project includes support for the establishment of a research and development center to enhance Thailand's capabilities in several areas, such as aviation engineering training with Thai aviation companies and the Royal Thai Air Force, a project to develop labor skills in the manufacturing sector, technical support for Thailand to improve the Royal Thai Air Force's data link system, opening up opportunities for Thai industries to be part of the company's supply chain, meaning the purchase of parts manufactured by companies in Thailand, and the development of maintenance capabilities in Thailand.'Lockheed Martin is ready to bring decades of experience to develop industries and the workforce in Thailand to help drive the Thai economy to success, along with our Thai industry partners and the Royal Thai Air Force. We are pleased with the proposal for the F-16 Block 70/72 program,' said Amy Burnett.Source: Thai News Agency