Lockheed Martin has indicated that it is prepared to transfer technology related to several C-130J Super Hercules components if it secures India’s requirement for 60 Medium Transport Aircraft. The company says the proposed arrangement could provide Indian industry with access to advanced aerospace technologies while supporting domestic production. The Ministry of Defence issued its RFP for the 60-aircraft program in August, with an estimated value of around ₹1,00,000 crore. Tata Advanced Systems is partnering with Lockheed Martin on the C-130J proposal, while other Indian companies are associated with competing platforms. Lockheed Martin proposes 12 aircraft in flyaway condition and 48 manufactured in India, while also upgrading the IAF’s existing 12 C-130Js so that the fleet could eventually consist of 72 standardised aircraft. The company is evaluating a second C-130J assembly line in India and has also announced a dedicated MRO facility in Bengaluru. India’s existing 12-aircraft fleet has accumulated more than 53,000 flight hours. Globally, more than 560 C-130Js have been delivered to 28 nations, with more than 3 million flight hours. Lockheed Martin says its Indian industrial network includes about 500 suppliers and more than 140 MSMEs. Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures in Hyderabad has produced C-130J empennages since 2013 and has delivered 265 units.
