Lockheed Martin, Tata Advanced Systems ink pact to expand C-130J manufacturing in India, eye MRO opportunities

HYDERABAD: US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) on Tuesday said they have entered into a teaming agreement to expand their business relationship through the C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlifter.

The agreement will provide a framework for collaboration on future potential business opportunities to include the setting up of a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in India to support the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) existing fleet of 12 C-130Js as well as other global Super Hercules fleets.

The pact will also focus on expanding C-130J manufacturing and assembly in India to produce aircraft for IAF’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme, subject to approvals by the US and Indian governments.

Lockheed Martin said it will continue to build C-130Js for the US government and other global operators at its existing Super Hercules production facility in Marietta, Georgia, USA, and will establish an additional production and assembly capacity in India if it is awarded the MTA contract.

The IAF is looking to acquire up to 80 medium transport aircraft and issued a request for information (RFI) last year, to which Lockheed Martin responded.

A joint venture between the two companies -- Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL) -- already makes empennages for the C-130J in Hyderabad and is the single source provider of this critical component. To date, TLMAL has manufactured more than 220 C-130J empennages.

TASL CEO & MD Sukaran Singh said the announcement is significant as it marks the entry of TASL into the defence MRO space in India for large aircraft platforms. “This also helps towards a deeper relationship between the two companies, adding to the aerostructure work by TASL for Lockheed Martin platforms,” Singh said.

“The C-130J is known as the world’s workhorse, not just for its large global presence, but also for its international supply chain partners including the single source provider of empennages — TLMAL in Hyderabad,” said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager of the air mobility and maritime missions line of business at Lockheed Martin.

“This teaming agreement between Lockheed Martin and TASL further demonstrates Lockheed Martin’s commitment to a self-reliant India and the degree of confidence that exists in our relationships with our partners in India and the Indian industry at large,” Mc Lean said.


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