Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Team Up for Indian Air Force’s C-130J Super Hercules
New Delhi, India – U.S. aviation giant Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Limited have partnered to expand their business relationship through the C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlifter. This agreement provides a framework for future collaboration, including:
- Establishing a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India to support the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) existing fleet of 12 C-130Js and other global Super Hercules fleets.
- Expanding C-130J manufacturing and assembly in India to produce aircraft for the IAF’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program, subject to U.S. and Indian government approvals.
Lockheed Martin will continue to build C-130Js for the U.S. government and other global operators at its existing production facility in Marietta, Georgia, USA. If awarded the MTA contract, Lockheed Martin will establish additional production and assembly capacity in India.
Sukaran Singh, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Advanced Systems, stated, “Collaborating with Lockheed Martin on the C-130J platform proposition for IAF’s MTA project is a milestone for Tata Advanced Systems. This announcement marks our entry into the defense MRO space in India for large aircraft platforms and strengthens our relationship with Lockheed Martin.”
Rod McLean, Vice President and General Manager of the Air Mobility and Maritime Missions line of business at Lockheed Martin, added, “This teaming agreement demonstrates Lockheed Martin’s commitment to a self-reliant India and the confidence in our partnerships with Indian industry.”
The IAF is seeking to acquire up to 80 medium transport aircraft and issued a request for information (RFI) last year. Lockheed Martin responded to the RFI, highlighting the C-130J-30 Super Hercules as ideally suited to meet the requirements.
This announcement marks a significant step in enhancing India’s defense and aerospace capabilities while deepening India-U.S. strategic ties. Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Limited have a long-standing partnership through the Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Ltd. (TLMAL) joint venture, established in 2010. TLMAL has manufactured more than 220 C-130J empennages to date.
Doubts Revealed
Lockheed Martin -: Lockheed Martin is a big company from the USA that makes airplanes, helicopters, and other things for the military.
Tata Advanced Systems Limited -: Tata Advanced Systems Limited is an Indian company that makes high-tech things like airplanes and defense equipment.
C-130J Super Hercules -: The C-130J Super Hercules is a big airplane used by the military to carry soldiers, supplies, and equipment.
MRO facility -: MRO stands for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul. An MRO facility is a place where airplanes are fixed and kept in good condition.
Indian Air Force -: The Indian Air Force is the part of India’s military that uses airplanes and helicopters to protect the country.
Medium Transport Aircraft program -: This is a plan by the Indian Air Force to use medium-sized airplanes to move soldiers and supplies.
defense capabilities -: Defense capabilities are the skills and equipment a country has to protect itself from enemies.
strategic ties -: Strategic ties are important relationships between countries that help them work together for safety and other big goals.
