Lockheed Martin and Tata sign Indian C-130J Super Hercules support agreement
The Indian Air Force already operates a dozen C-130J aircraft. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
India has a requirement for as many as 80 medium transport aircraft and the country already operates 12 C-130J aircraft.
Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems have signed an agreement to establish an increased maintenance and support capability for India’s C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft which would allow the US company to better position itself to meet Indian requirements.
The teaming agreement will see the establishment of a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in India, expansion of production capability subject to regulation and establish additional production and assembly capacity in India if future contracts are awarded.
The Indian Air Force is looking to buy up to 80 medium transport aircraft and issued a Request for Information (RfI) last year and Lockheed Martin has offered the C-130J-30 Super Hercules.
All C-130J empennage assemblies are manufactured in the India, including for all new Super Hercules aircraft produced in the US, and since 2010 Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Ltd has manufactured more than 220 C-130J empennages.
Under the RfI, India has been looking for an aircraft with a payload of 18-30t and Shephard Defence Insight noted that the programme could be worth US$6–7 billion. Deliveries will be expected to begin within three years and would likely take place through to 2034–35.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) Project [India]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Airbus to fly new CUAS UAV prototype this year]()
Airbus to fly new CUAS UAV prototype this year
The counter-UAS prototype, named Low-cost Air Defence or ‘LOAD’, will be used to combat kamikaze UAS.
-
![Boeing to remanufacture five more US Army MH-47G Block II Chinooks]()
Boeing to remanufacture five more US Army MH-47G Block II Chinooks
The contract award, worth $240 million, is part of the ongoing effort by the US Army to modernise its Block II Chinook rotorcraft fleet.
-
![Avalon 2025: Australia’s missile and ordnance plans excite companies]()
Avalon 2025: Australia’s missile and ordnance plans excite companies
Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) industrial plan is ambitious and promises big spending in an effort to create a local and sovereign capability. Companies at last week’s Australian International Airshow near Melbourne were making their pitches.
-
![Avalon 2025: BAE Systems eyes customers for its Strix after initial flight]()
Avalon 2025: BAE Systems eyes customers for its Strix after initial flight
The Strix test effort suffered a setback last year when the prototype incurred minor damage in a hard landing during its second trial flight.
