Lockheed Martin to set up C-130J co-production hub in India

Eyeing the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) plan to procure up to 80 medium transport aircraft, US aerospace major Lockheed Martin on Tuesday announced that it intends to set up a co-production facility for the C-130J Super Hercules in India — its first such hub outside the United States.

Lockheed Martin said the proposed facility would be part of its pitch for the IAF’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme, which aims to replace the force’s ageing AN-32 and IL-76 fleets. The company described the C-130J as a proven platform for India and more than 20 other countries.

Robert Toth, vice president (business development, air mobility and maritime missions) at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, said the MTA programme presents an opportunity to expand industrial capability in India.

“We are continuing to invest ahead of MTA in the C-130Js and posturing ourselves for building aircraft in India,” he told PTI in an interview. “In fact, out of all of the opportunities across the world, India is the first country where we have pledged that we would set up a co-production facility in India outside of the United States.”

The IAF currently operates 12 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. Lockheed Martin has tied the establishment of the co-production facility to winning the MTA contract. The company has partnered with Tata Advanced Systems for its bid.

The IAF issued a Request for Information in 2022 for the MTA purchase. The procurement, estimated to be worth several billion dollars, is expected to be taken up by the Defence Acquisition Council in the coming weeks. Embraer’s KC-390 Millennium and Airbus Defence and Space’s A-400M are also in contention.

Globally, the C-130J is used by 28 operators in 23 nations, with more than 560 aircraft delivered. It has been certified by over 20 airworthiness authorities and its fleet has surpassed three million flight hours.

“Over the last 15 years, the Indian Air Force has proven that the C-130J is the right platform for India. Our pedigree and our capabilities have been demonstrated here in India, and it is going to position us quite well for this (MTA) competition,” Toth said.

On Monday, Tata Advanced Systems began work on a defence maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Bengaluru to support the C-130J. The facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2026 and receive its first aircraft for MRO operations in early 2027.

Toth said the C-130J has been operating in more than 20 countries and is well placed to meet the IAF’s requirements. “We believe that if you look at the whole value of what the C-130Js bring compared to our competitors, we are well positioned for this opportunity in India,” he said.

He added that Lockheed Martin sees long-term potential in India. “I think it provides a tremendous opportunity going forward. India has been an important market for Lockheed Martin going back 70 years when we first brought the Constellation aircraft to India,” he said.

Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems have been jointly manufacturing empennages and other aerostructure assemblies for the C-130J in India for several years. The assemblies produced at Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL) in Hyderabad are shipped to the US for integration at Lockheed Martin’s Marietta, Georgia facility.

Last week, TLMAL marked the delivery of its 250th C-130J empennage. The new defence MRO facility will join Lockheed Martin’s global network of certified service centres and will be positioned to service the C-130J Super Hercules, KC-130J and C-130 B-H legacy aircraft in the future.

(With inputs from agencies)