Agreement Supports India's Medium Transport
Aircraft Program and New Maintenance Facility
DELHI,
India, Sept. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/
-- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Tata Advanced Systems
Limited have entered into a teaming agreement to expand upon the
companies' business relationship through the C-130J Super Hercules
tactical airlifter. This announcement marks a significant step in
enhancing India's defence and
aerospace capabilities while also deepening India-U.S. strategic
ties.
This agreement provides a framework for collaboration on future
potential business opportunities to 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;
- Expanding C-130J manufacturing and assembly in India to produce aircraft for the IAF's Medium
Transport Aircraft (MTA) program, subject to U.S. and Indian
government approvals.
Lockheed Martin will continue to build C-130Js for the U.S.
government and other global operators at the existing Super
Hercules production facility in Marietta, Georgia, USA. Lockheed Martin 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," 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. This also
helps towards 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, vice president and general manager 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."
The IAF is actively seeking to acquire up to 80 medium transport
aircraft and issued a request for information (RFI) last year.
Lockheed Martin responded to the RFI as the C-130J-30 Super
Hercules is ideally suited to meet the requirements.
Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Limited have a
long-standing partnership through the Tata Lockheed Martin
Aerostructures Ltd., (TLMAL) joint venture. Established in 2010,
TLMAL exemplifies the government of 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 United States. To date, TLMAL
has manufactured more than 220 C-130J empennages.
About the C-130J-30
The C-130J-30 delivers unmatched interoperability with global
air forces, robust industrial partnerships, and verified low
lifecycle costs with significant fuel savings resulting in a
reduced carbon footprint compared to other medium-sized jet
airlifters. Since the arrival of India's first C-130J-30 in 2011, IAF
crews have demonstrated the capabilities found only on a Super
Hercules ― from landing at the world's highest airfield to daring
night operations in inclement weather.
Always evolving, continually innovating and ready for what's
next, the Super Hercules leads the charge by setting standards and
shaping the future of tactical airlift missions. The global C-130J
fleet spans 27 operators in 23 nations with 20+ air worthiness
certifications. More than 3 million flight hours have been logged
by 545+ C-130Js in support of 19 different mission requirements,
including critical worldwide search and rescue, peacekeeping,
combat delivery, maritime patrol, special operations, aerial
refueling, commercial cargo transport, medevac and humanitarian
response missions. Invaluable insights gained from missions in
every scenario equip the C-130J for any challenge.
For additional information, visit our websites:
www.lockheedmartin.com/c130 or www.lockheedmartin.com/india.
About Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a global defence technology company driving
innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain
mission solutions and 21st Century Security® vision accelerate the
delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve
always stay ahead of ready.
Present in India for more than
three decades, Lockheed Martin is proud of its longstanding
relationships and commitment to customers and partners on existing
and future programs. These range from transport, maritime and
fighter aircraft, to sea and land-based air and missile defence
projects, as well as capabilities in civil sectors including new
and renewable energy. A strategic partner and developer of
sovereign industrial, workforce and enterprise capability, Lockheed
Martin India's joint ventures, apprenticeships, and founding
membership of the India Innovation Growth Program underscore its
conviction to Indian industry, talent and progress.
Please follow @LMIndiaNews on X, formerly Twitter, for
the latest announcements and news across the corporation.
About Tata Advanced Systems Limited
Tata Advanced Systems Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Tata Sons, is a significant player
for aerospace and defence solutions in India. TASL offers a full range of integrated
solutions across: Aerostructures & Aeroengines, Airborne
Platforms & Systems, Defence & Security, and Land Mobility.
Tata Advanced Systems has a strong portfolio of partnerships and
joint ventures with leading global aerospace and defence firms,
making it an integral partner in the international supply chain and
in some instances, a global single source provider for leading
aerospace and defence OEMs. With the requisite capabilities,
resources and scale, Tata Advanced Systems is equipped to deliver
end-to-end innovative solutions throughout the entire aerospace and
defence value chain from design to full platform assembly, and
is well positioned in areas that include satellites, missiles,
radars, unmanned aerial systems, artillery guns, command and
control systems, optronics, homeland security and land systems, in
addition to aircraft and helicopters.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics