On September 10, US defense giant Lockheed Martin announced an expanded partnership with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) to advance the C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlifter project in India. The announcement follows recent discussions between Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the US to strengthen defense collaborations.
The agreement outlines a framework for future business opportunities, including the establishment of a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India to support the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) current fleet of 12 C-130J aircraft and other global Super Hercules fleets. The partnership will also explore manufacturing and assembly capabilities in India, contingent on approvals from the Indian and US governments.
The deal will create the avenue to establish more production lines for the C-130J Super Hercules in India-a country which may acquire as many as 80 medium transport aircraft to add to its fleet-if Lockheed Martin wins the contract for India’s MTA programme.
Chief Executive Officer Sukaran Singh of TASL termed the partnership quite significant as this marked an entry into the defense MRO for large aircraft. He reiterated that this partnership will play an important role in the building of a sound defense ecosystem in the country with the Make in India initiative.
The C-130J Super Hercules has an enviable reputation as a multirole aircraft and is in service with 26 countries around the world. With the IAF currently operating twelve, it issued a RFI to extend the capability of medium transport aircraft in 2022-a requirement which the model C-130J-30 seems pretty well placed to meet.
This deal marks the continuing relationship between Lockheed Martin and Tata that began in 2010 when the Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Ltd joint venture was established. Till now, with its facility in Hyderabad, TLMAL has built over 220 C-130J empennages and subsequently advanced the two companies’ collaboration.
Rod McLean, vice president and general manager for Air Mobility at Lockheed Martin, welcomed this partnership as one toward advancements in Indian defense capabilities while underlining the strategic importance of self-reliance in defense manufacturing to India.
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Source: Moneycontrol
News Desk
