Hyderabad: The Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Ltd (TLMAL) joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems Ltd and Lockheed Martin has made India a “critical link” in the global manufacturing network of the C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlifter, US ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, said here on Monday.Gor said this after a visit to TLMAL’s manufacturing facility in Hyderabad, underscoring the expanding US-India defence industrial cooperation as Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems pursue India’s medium transport aircraft requirement.Gor toured the production line making empennages for the C-130J Super Hercules, a versatile airlifter that is operated by both countries and used worldwide for airlift, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and special missions.“Fantastic visit to Lockheed Martin-Tata facility in Hyderabad to see advanced aerospace manufacturing firsthand. Lockheed Martin’s partnership with Tata is making India a critical link in the global C-130J production network, strengthening defence supply chains and advancing our strategic partnership,” he said in a post on social media platform X.The companies said the TLMAL joint venture demonstrates India’s established ability to manufacture critical structures for the global C-130J supply chain and to scale output for future requirements.“The decades-long economic partnership between the United States and India continues to grow stronger through innovation, shared security interests, and economic cooperation,” Gor said. He said Indian production of C-130J structures supports high-skilled jobs, resilient supply chains and a shared vision for a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific.The visit came as the partnership between Tata Advanced Systems and Lockheed Martin moves into new areas, including maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), for which a dedicated C-130J facility is coming up in Bangalore. Tata Advanced Systems said its MRO facility is expected to open in December, with aircraft arrival planned for spring 2027.Sukaran Singh, chief executive and managing director of Tata Advanced Systems, said the collaboration has proven capable of supplying world-class aerostructures for Lockheed Martin programmes and is extending towards MRO and potential full-platform cooperation under Make in India if selected by the defence ministry.Trish Pagan, Lockheed Martin’s vice president for Air Mobility and Maritime Missions, said the collaboration has built advanced aerospace manufacturing capabilities in India that support C-130J operators worldwide. She said the MTA opportunity would strengthen a relationship backed by more than 15 years of joint investment.Lockheed Martin has operated in India for more than three decades, building joint ventures and supplier links with Indian aerospace and defence firms.
