Lockheed Martin-Tata Advanced Systems Deal: Tata Group’s Tata Advanced Systems Ltd in collaboration with Lockheed Martin, the US defense company that makes F-16 fighter aircraft, will manufacture C-130Js Super Hercules aircraft in India. Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd have signed an agreement for this.
According to the agreement between the two companies, a framework will be prepared for mutual agreement for future business opportunities, which also includes setting up an MRO facility in India to support the Indian Air Force’s fleet of 12 C-130Js as well as other global Super Hercules fleets. There is also a proposal to manufacture and assemble C-130Js in India after getting approval from the US government and the Indian government. Apart from this, Lockheed Martin will manufacture aircraft under the Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program of Indian Airports in collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems Limited. If Lockheed Martin gets the Medium Transport Aircraft contract, the company will also set up additional production and assembling capacity in India.
On this deal with Lockheed Martin, MD and CEO of Tata Advanced Systems, Sukaran Singh said, “This deal with Lockheed Martin on the C-130Js platform proposal for the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft Project is a major milestone for Tata Advanced Systems.” He said, this announcement is also important because it paves the way for Tata Advanced Systems to enter the defense MRO sector for large aircraft platforms in India.
The Indian Air Force is planning to buy around 80 medium transport aircraft. RFI has also been issued for this. Responding to the RFI, Lockheed Martin said that the C-130J-30 Super Hercules meets the needs of the Indian Air Force. The 130J-30 Super Hercules is a tactical airlift aircraft and the Indian Air Force currently has a fleet of 12 130J-30 Super Hercules.
Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems formed a joint venture in 2010 under the name of Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited. And through this partnership, the company has manufactured 220 C-130J empennages.
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