Lockheed Martin, in collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), has entered the fray to secure the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) contract for medium transport aircraft (MTA). The partnership is set to bid for a substantial order of up to 80 aircraft.
Lockheed Martin is proposing its C-130J Super Hercules aircraft for the competition and is exploring the possibility of establishing a manufacturing facility in India specifically for this model. This move comes as Lockheed Martin competes with other global contenders for this multi-billion-dollar opportunity.
Strategic Collaboration
“This collaboration with Lockheed Martin represents a significant milestone for Tata Advanced Systems,” stated Sukaran Singh, CEO of TASL. The partnership marks TASL’s entry into the large aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector in India.
The agreement outlines a framework for potential further collaboration, including expanding C-130J production in India and establishing an MRO facility to support the IAF’s current fleet of 12 C-130Js and other international Super Hercules fleets.
Lockheed Martin plans to scale up production and assembly operations in India if awarded the MTA contract. The competitors for this bid include European Airbus Defence and Space with its A-400M aircraft and Brazilian Embraer Defense and Security with its C-390 Millennium.
C-130J Super Hercules: A Proven Asset
Rod McLean, Vice President of Air Mobility and Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin, emphasized the C-130J’s reputation as a “world’s workhorse” due to its extensive global presence and robust supply chain partnerships. Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL) in Hyderabad is the sole global supplier of empennages (tail assemblies) for the C-130J, having delivered over 220 assemblies since 2010.
The IAF’s current fleet of C-130Js has played a crucial role in various missions, including support for military operations in the Ladakh sector amid ongoing tensions with China.
Future Prospects
The contest for the MTA contract aligns with India’s Make in India initiative, which aims to enhance self-reliance in defense manufacturing. The IAF seeks a transport aircraft with a cargo capacity between 18 to 30 tonnes to meet its increasing airlift needs. The C-130J offers a 20-tonne capacity, compared to the C-390’s 26 tonnes and the A-400M’s 37 tonnes.
In February, Embraer and Mahindra announced a partnership to bid for the MTA order, while Airbus has yet to reveal its partners. The final tender for the MTA procurement will be issued once the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, grants the acceptance of necessity (AoN) for the project.
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