Soaring Ahead: Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Team Up to Enhance the C-130J Super Hercules in India

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Tata Advanced Systems Limited have established a collaborative agreement to expand upon the companies’ commercial alliance through the C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlifter. This announcement marks a significant breakthrough in enhancing India’s defense and aerospace capabilities while further fortifying India-U.S. strategic relations.

This agreement lays the foundation for cooperation on forthcoming potential business endeavors that include:

• Establishing a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India to support the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) current fleet of 12 C-130Js alongside other international Super Hercules aircraft;
• Boosting C-130J manufacturing and assembly in India to produce aircraft for the IAF’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program, pending approvals from U.S. and Indian authorities.

Lockheed Martin will continue to manufacture C-130Js for the U.S. defense and other global clients at the existing Super Hercules production plant located in Marietta, Georgia, USA. Lockheed Martin will increase production and assembly capabilities in India if awarded the MTA contract.

“Collaborating with Lockheed Martin on the C-130J platform proposal for the IAF’s MTA scheme is a milestone for Tata Advanced Systems,” stated Sukaran Singh, CEO and managing director of Tata Advanced Systems. “This recent announcement is particularly significant as it marks Tata Advanced Systems’ foray into the defense MRO sector in India for large-scale aircraft platforms. It also strengthens the partnership between the two companies, complementing Tata Advanced Systems’ aerostructure initiatives for Lockheed Martin platforms.”

“The C-130J is celebrated as the world’s workhorse, not just for its extensive global presence but also because of its international supply chain partners, including the exclusive provider of empennages — Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited in Hyderabad,” noted Rod McLean, vice president and general manager of the Air Mobility and Maritime Missions division at Lockheed Martin. “This collaboration agreement between Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems further exemplifies Lockheed Martin’s commitment to a self-reliant India and highlights the trust inherent in our relationships with stakeholders in India and the broader Indian industry.”

The IAF is actively seeking to acquire up to 80 medium transport aircraft and issued a request for information (RFI) last year. Lockheed Martin responded to the RFI as the C-130J-30 Super Hercules is exceptionally well-suited to meet the requirements.

Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Limited maintain a long-standing partnership through the Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Ltd. (TLMAL) joint venture. Established in 2010, TLMAL embodies the Indian government’s “Make in India“initiative and proudly serves as the exclusive global manufacturer of C-130J empennage assemblies used in all new Super Hercules aircraft produced in the United States. To date, TLMAL has successfully manufactured over 220 C-130J empennages.