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Tata, Lockheed Martin seal deal to expand opportunities in C-130J aircraft
- IBJ Bureau
- Sep 11, 2024
In a major announcement in the defence sector, Tata Advanced Systems has entered into an agreement with US aviation giant Lockheed Martin to “expand C-130J Super Hercules opportunities in India”.
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-US strategic ties”.
The companies have agreed to a framework to collaborate on future potential business opportunities which include establishing a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India to support the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) existing fleet of 12 C-130Js as well as other global Super Hercules fleets.
They will also expand C-130J manufacturing and assembly in India to produce aircraft for the IAF’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme, subject to US and Indian government approvals.
Lockheed Martin will continue to build the medium-life transport aircraft at the existing Super Hercules production facility in Marietta, Georgia, USA, adding that the company will establish additional production and assembly capacity in India, if awarded the MTA contract.
“Collaborating with Lockheed Martin on the C-130J platform proposition for IAF’s MTA project is a milestone for Tata Advanced Systems,” Sukaran Singh, the CEO and MD of Tata Advanced Systems has said. “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. This also helps towards a deeper relationship between the two companies, adding to the aerostructure work by Tata Advanced Systems for Lockheed Martin platforms.”
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