US Aerospace giant Lockheed Martin has announced plans to establish a co-production facility for its C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft in India, marking the first such manufacturing hub outside the United States. The initiative coincides with the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) upcoming Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme, aimed at procuring up to 80 tactical lift aircraft to replace its aging fleet.
The IAF currently operates 12 C-130J aircraft, which have proven their reliability over 15 years of service in India. Robert Toth, Vice President of Air Mobility and Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, emphasized that India is strategically the first country where the company has committed to a full co-production setup outside the US. The move is part of Lockheed Martin’s broader effort to strengthen its industrial base in India ahead of the MTA competition.
Lockheed Martin has partnered with Tata Advanced Systems to bid for the C-130J programme. The companies have jointly manufactured C-130J empennages and other aerostructure assemblies in India for several years at Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL) in Hyderabad. The 250th C-130J tail was recently delivered, which is shipped to the US for integration into complete aircraft at Lockheed Martin’s Marietta, Georgia facility.
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In addition to manufacturing, Tata Advanced Systems has initiated the construction of a Defence Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Bengaluru to support the C-130J fleet. Scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, the facility is expected to receive its first aircraft for MRO operations in early 2027, strengthening Lockheed Martin’s global support network for the Super Hercules and related platforms.
The IAF’s MTA procurement programme, initiated with a Request for Information in 2022, seeks aircraft to replace its Soviet-era AN-32 and IL-76 fleet. Lockheed Martin’s C-130J faces competition from Brazil’s Embraer KC-390 Millennium and Airbus Defence and Space’s A-400M. However, the proven track record of the C-130J globally—with over 560 delivered aircraft and more than three million flight hours—positions it as a strong contender.
Toth expressed optimism about the Indian defence market, noting Lockheed Martin’s 70-year presence in the country, beginning with the Constellation aircraft. He highlighted that India offers a “tremendous opportunity” and that the combination of local co-production, MRO support, and a reliable platform could significantly benefit both the IAF and India’s industrial ecosystem.
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