Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin and India’s Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) have announced a strategic partnership to bid for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) medium transport aircraft (MTA) competition. The IAF is seeking to procure up to 80 aircraft under this multi-billion-dollar contract to meet its growing airlift requirements.
Lockheed Martin has offered the IAF its renowned C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, and the company is exploring the possibility of setting up a manufacturing facility in India if awarded the contract. The move aligns with India’s Make in India initiative aimed at boosting self-reliance in the defence sector.
“This collaboration with Lockheed Martin on the C-130J platform for IAF’s MTA project is a significant milestone for Tata Advanced Systems,” said Sukaran Singh, CEO of TASL. He also highlighted the importance of the agreement, marking TASL’s entry into the defence Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) space in India for large aircraft.
Expanding India’s Defence Manufacturing
The agreement between Lockheed Martin and TASL provides a framework for collaboration on several business opportunities. This includes potentially expanding C-130J manufacturing and assembly in India to meet the MTA programme’s needs, subject to government approvals. Additionally, the companies are exploring the possibility of establishing an MRO facility to support both IAF’s current fleet of 12 C-130Js and other global Super Hercules operators.
Rod McLean, Vice President of Air Mobility and Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin, praised the C-130J as a global workhorse, emphasizing its extensive international presence. He added, “The empennage (tail assembly) for the C-130J is produced exclusively at the Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL) facility in Hyderabad, which has already delivered more than 220 assemblies.”
Competing for the IAF’s Transport Aircraft Order
Lockheed Martin and TASL will face stiff competition from European aerospace giant Airbus Defence and Space, which is offering its A-400M aircraft, and Brazil’s Embraer, which is bidding with its C-390 Millennium in partnership with Mahindra.
The IAF is looking for transport aircraft with a cargo-carrying capacity of 18 to 30 tonnes. While the C-130J has a payload of 20 tonnes, the C-390 can carry 26 tonnes, and the A-400M offers a maximum payload of 37 tonnes. The new aircraft will replace the ageing fleet and strengthen India’s airlift capabilities, especially in sensitive regions such as Ladakh, where border tensions with China persist.
Aligning with India’s Defence Priorities
The IAF’s MTA procurement is part of the Indian government’s broader efforts to promote self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, will first grant Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the project, a crucial step in India’s military procurement process. Once the AoN is granted, India is expected to float the tender for the aircraft.
With the race for this high-value order intensifying, Lockheed Martin’s partnership with TASL positions the company as a strong contender, especially given its long-standing involvement in India’s defence sector. The final decision is expected to have significant implications for India’s defence industry and its strategic partnerships with global aerospace leaders.
