Lockheed Martin is planning to significantly expand its aircraft manufacturing capabilities in India if it wins the $10.5 billion contract to supply 60 medium transport aircraft to the Indian armed forces. India issued the tender in August to strengthen the Indian Air Force’s transport fleet and replace ageing aircraft.
Lockheed Martin has partnered with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) for the bid. The company already works with Tata on manufacturing components and empennages, or tail assemblies, for the C-130J Super Hercules in Hyderabad. Lockheed Martin said this existing production network would be expanded if its proposal is selected.
Under the proposal, 12 aircraft would be supplied in flyaway condition, while 48 would be manufactured in India. Lockheed Martin has also proposed upgrading the Indian Air Force’s existing 12 C-130J aircraft to the same advanced configuration, potentially creating a common fleet of 72 aircraft.
The $10.5 billion programme has five Indian companies in the race — TASL, Mahindra Group, Adani Defence & Aerospace, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Reliance Defence — with global aircraft manufacturers expected to partner with them. The competition is also aimed at expanding India’s domestic aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
