Lockheed Martin, the American aerospace giant, is considering establishing the first final assembly line for its C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft in India a move that would mark the first such facility outside the United States.
Senior company executives told reporters that if selected for India’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme, the firm would set up a dedicated assembly line in India to produce C-130Js for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Full-rate production would continue at the existing facility in Marietta, Georgia, for other global customers.
Rob Toth, Vice President for Strategy Development, Air Mobility and Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin, described the plan as aligning with India’s self-reliance goals. “In the spirit of the self-reliant India mission, India’s future C-130Js under the MTA programme would be made in India, for India, and potentially for the world,” he said.
The proposal builds on the long-standing partnership with Tata Advanced Systems, which already manufactures C-130J empennage assemblies in Hyderabad as the single global source for the component. This would represent a major step up from component production to full aircraft assembly, potentially positioning India as a global hub for the iconic transport plane.
The move comes as the IAF evaluates options for up to 80 medium transport aircraft to boost tactical airlift capabilities, with Lockheed Martin pitching the C-130J as a proven, reliable platform suited to India’s diverse terrain and missions.
