Tata Group, a leading Indian industrial conglomerate, and American aviation company Lockheed Martin have announced plans to establish a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in India for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) C-130J Super Hercules aircraft fleet. This development means that the maintenance and servicing of these aircraft, previously conducted in the US, will now be handled within India. Additionally, the facility will provide maintenance services for C-130J aircraft operated by other countries.
It will be the first full-scale MRO facility established by a major aviation company in India. The facility will also support the maintenance and repair of C-130J fleets used by various nations worldwide. It is worth noting that currently, 27 operators across 23 countries utilise this aircraft. According to a joint statement from the companies, Lockheed Martin has also committed to expanding the manufacturing and assembly of C-130J aircraft in India, with the potential to produce aircraft for the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program if a contract is secured.
It indicates that Lockheed Martin will establish additional production and assembly capabilities in India. Despite this expansion, the US company will continue producing C-130J aircraft at its existing Super Hercules manufacturing facility in Marietta, Georgia, USA. Sukarn Singh, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Advanced Systems, described the collaboration with Lockheed Martin on the C-130J platform for the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) project as “a milestone for Tata Advanced Systems.”
Rod McLean, Vice President and General Manager of the Air Mobility and Maritime Missions line of business at Lockheed Martin stated in a press release, “The C-130J is recognised as the world’s workhorse, not only due to its extensive global presence but also because of its international supply chain partners, including Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited in Hyderabad, which serves as the sole provider of empennages.”
It’s important to mention that Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Limited formed a joint venture in 2010. This collaboration, known as Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL), is the exclusive global provider of empennage assemblies for all new Super Hercules C-130J aircraft built in the US. To date, TLMAL has produced over 220 C-130J empennages.
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