Lockheed Martin to Pitch C130J for India's Medium Transport Aircraft Program

Lockheed Martin will pitch its C130J Hercules aircraft for Indian Air Force's medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program.

It plans to manufacture the Aircraft in India to pitch for the MTA program subject to U.S. and Indian government approvals.

Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Limited will collaborate on the C-130J Super Hercules, including the establishment of a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India to support the Indian Air Force's (IAF) 12 C-130Js and other global Super Hercules fleets.

They also plan to expand C-130J manufacturing in India for the IAF's Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program, contingent on approvals from both the U.S. and Indian governments.

Lockheed Martin will continue C-130J production in Marietta, Georgia, while potentially increasing assembly capacity in India if awarded the MTA contract.

The IAF's request for information on up to 80 medium transport aircraft last year has led Lockheed Martin to propose the C-130J-30 Super Hercules. Their long-standing partnership with Tata Advanced Systems through Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Ltd. (TLMAL) supports India's "Make in India" goals, with TLMAL producing over 220 C-130J empennages for new Super Hercules aircraft.