TATA-Lockheed Martin to establish C-130 MRO base in India for IAF and others
- In Reports
- 10:38 PM, Sep 10, 2024
- Myind Staff
India's TATA Group and US aviation giant Lockheed Martin are teaming up to establish a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in India. This new facility will support the Indian Air Force's current fleet of 12 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft and also provide services for similar aircraft operated by other countries.
The announcement, regarded as a major advance in strengthening India’s defence and aerospace capabilities, came just weeks after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the US. During that visit, both countries committed to further enhancing their overall defence relationship.
According to a release by Lockheed Martin, the agreement will expand upon the companies' business relationship through the Super Hercules tactical airlifter and “marks a significant step in enhancing India's defence and aerospace capabilities while also deepening India-U.S. strategic ties.”
This will be the first major MRO facility established by a leading aviation firm in India and will also serve the global C-130J fleet, which includes 27 operators across 23 countries.
The C-130 is a versatile tactical airlifter that has been in service for over 70 years. It performs a range of roles, including transporting troops, supplies, and equipment, as well as supporting special operations in challenging conditions.
A joint statement from the companies also noted that they have agreed to expand C-130J manufacturing and assembly in India. This expansion aims to produce aircraft for the IAF’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program, contingent on securing the contract.
This means Lockheed Martin will increase its production and assembly capacity in India. However, the company will continue to manufacture C-130Js for the US and other global operators at its current Super Hercules production facility in Marietta, Georgia, USA.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) aims to acquire 80 medium transport aircraft to replace its ageing AN32 fleet. The top contenders for this significant contract are Lockheed Martin’s C-130J, Embraer Defence and Security’s C-390 Millennium, and Airbus Defence and Space’s A-400M.
“Collaborating with Lockheed Martin on the C-130J platform proposition for IAF’s MTA project is a milestone for Tata Advanced Systems,” said Sukaran Singh, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tata Advanced Systems.
“The current announcement is also significant as it marks the entry of Tata Advanced Systems into the defence MRO space in India for large aircraft platforms,” he said.
Singh said the pact will also help in having a deeper relationship between the two companies adding to the aerostructure work by Tata Advanced Systems for Lockheed Martin platforms.
"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 - Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited in Hyderabad," said Rod McLean, VP and GM of the Air Mobility and Maritime Missions line of business at Lockheed Martin.
"This teaming agreement between Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems 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."
Notably, Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Limited have a joint venture, Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Ltd. (TLMAL), established in 2010. TLMAL focuses on complementing India’s ‘Make in India’ objectives and has the distinction of being the single global source of C-130J empennage assemblies included on all new Super Hercules aircraft produced in the US.
TLMAL is the sole global provider of C-130J empennage assemblies for all new Super Hercules aircraft produced in the United States. To date, TLMAL has manufactured over 220 C-130J empennages.
Image source: LinkedIn
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