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India’s production of critical structures for the C-130J Super Hercules is strengthening the country’s defence manufacturing partnership with the US, according to US Ambassador Sergio Gor. During a visit to the Tata-Lockheed Martin Aerostructures facility in Hyderabad, Gor highlighted the joint venture’s role in supporting aerospace manufacturing and supply chains. Established in 2010, the facility is the global source of C-130J empennage assemblies for new aircraft produced in the US. The joint venture is now looking to participate in India’s requirement for around 80 Medium Transport Aircraft under a multi-billion-dollar procurement programme.
US Ambassador Sergio Gor has highlighted India’s production of critical structures for the C-130J military transport aircraft as an example of the expanding defence and industrial partnership between India and the US.
Gor made the comments during his visit to the Tata-Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Ltd (TLMAL) manufacturing facility in Hyderabad, where he toured the production line manufacturing empennages for the C-130J Super Hercules.
Established in 2010, the joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems and Lockheed Martin supports India’s Make in India objectives and is the single global source of C-130J empennage assemblies fitted on all new Super Hercules aircraft produced in the US.
The partnership is now seeking to participate in India’s requirement for around 80 Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) under a multi-billion-dollar procurement programme. Lockheed Martin’s C-130J, Embraer Defence and Security’s C-390 Millennium and Airbus Defence and Space’s A-400M have emerged as the leading contenders for the contract. The Indian Air Force currently operates 12 C-130J aircraft.
Gor said the production of C-130J structures in India reflects the growing industrial and defence cooperation between the two countries. He also said such partnerships support high-skilled employment, strengthen supply chains and contribute to the shared objective of maintaining a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific.
His remarks on the Indo-Pacific come as China continues to expand its military presence and activity in the region.
Sukaran Singh, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tata Advanced Systems, said the company’s partnership with Lockheed Martin had established a proven capability to manufacture aerostructures for major programmes, including the C-130J. He added that the partnership has expanded into maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), with the facility expected to become operational in December this year and aircraft arrivals planned for spring 2027.
The companies are also exploring opportunities to expand cooperation on complete aircraft platforms under the Make in India programme, subject to the outcome of the MTA procurement.
Trish Pagan, vice president of Air Mobility and Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin, said collaboration with Indian industry had helped establish aerospace manufacturing capabilities supporting the global C-130J operator network. She added that Lockheed Martin would continue exploring opportunities to expand advanced manufacturing, technology and production capabilities in India.
The C-130J Super Hercules is certified for 20 missions and is used by military forces globally for tactical airlift, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and special missions. India’s production of empennages for the aircraft has integrated Indian manufacturing into Lockheed Martin’s global aerospace supply chain.
Lockheed Martin said the companies have invested in the joint venture for more than 15 years and that the MTA opportunity could build on the existing relationship and manufacturing capabilities.
TLMAL said the Hyderabad facility demonstrates the role of Indian industry in supporting C-130J production and has the established capacity to scale manufacturing for the MTA programme.
The Indian Air Force issued a request for information for the acquisition of up to 80 Medium Transport Aircraft in 2023. The current procurement process could therefore provide an opportunity for the Tata-Lockheed Martin partnership to expand from aerostructure manufacturing into a broader platform-level defence manufacturing role in India.
Source PTI
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