Inside The Hyderabad Plant Powering India-US Defence Ties, Envoy Sergio Gor Visits

U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor visited the Tata-Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL) manufacturing facility in Hyderabad on Monday, highlighting the growing defence and aerospace cooperation between India and the United States. During the visit, Gor toured the production line where empennage assemblies for the C-130J Super Hercules are manufactured. He described India's contribution to the aircraft programme as an important example of the expanding industrial partnership between the two countries.

The TLMAL joint venture, established in 2010 by Tata Advanced Systems and Lockheed Martin, manufactures critical structures for C-130J aircraft produced in the United States. The Hyderabad facility is the global source for C-130J empennage assemblies fitted on newly produced Super Hercules aircraft. Gor said such cooperation supports skilled employment, strengthens supply chains and contributes to the shared objective of maintaining a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific.

The visit comes as India moves ahead with plans to acquire up to 80 Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) for the Indian Air Force under a multi-billion-dollar procurement programme. Lockheed Martin's C-130J Super Hercules, Embraer Defence and Security's C-390 Millennium and Airbus Defence and Space's A-400M have emerged as major contenders for the requirement. The Indian Air Force currently operates 12 C-130J aircraft, giving Lockheed Martin an established presence in India's military transport fleet.

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Tata Advanced Systems and Lockheed Martin are seeking to build on their existing partnership as they compete for the MTA programme. Tata Advanced Systems CEO and Managing Director Sukaran Singh said the companies' cooperation has already resulted in the production of advanced aerostructures for major Lockheed Martin programmes. He added that the partnership has expanded into maintenance, repair and overhaul operations, with the new MRO facility expected to become operational in December 2026 and aircraft arrivals planned for spring 2027.

Lockheed Martin Vice President Trish Pagan said the partnership with Indian industry has created aerospace manufacturing capabilities that support C-130J operators worldwide. The company said it remains committed to expanding advanced manufacturing, technology and production capabilities in India. The C-130J Super Hercules is used across multiple missions, including tactical airlift, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and special operations, and is operated by militaries around the world.

The proposed MTA acquisition could therefore mark another significant stage in India's efforts to expand domestic aerospace manufacturing while modernising its military transport capabilities. TLMAL said its Hyderabad facility demonstrates the established ability of Indian industry to produce and scale aerospace components and could support the requirements of the new competition. With the Indian Air Force seeking up to 80 aircraft, the programme is expected to provide a major opportunity for deeper cooperation between Indian and international aerospace companies.

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