Hyd: US Ambassador visits TLMAL facility, highlights India-US aerospace defence partnership
Hyderabad, Aug 24 (TNT): US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Monday visited the Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL) facility in Hyderabad, highlighting the deepening strategic partnership between India and the United States in aerospace and defence manufacturing.
The TLMAL joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons and Lockheed Martin, a global defense technology company, has been supporting the C-130J Super Hercules programme, supplying aircraft structures for the global fleet of the tactical airlifter.
During the visit, Gor toured the production line manufacturing empennages for the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.
The Hyderabad facility represents India’s growing role in the global aerospace supply chain and its capability to manufacture critical aircraft structures, TASL said in a release here.
The visit comes as TASL and Lockheed Martin move into a new phase of cooperation amid the recently announced Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) requirement.
The companies said their established partnership demonstrates the ability to produce and scale advanced aerospace manufacturing capabilities in India.
“The decades-long economic partnership between the United States and India continues to grow stronger through innovation, shared security interests and economic cooperation,” Ambassador Sergio Gor said.
He said production in India of critical structures for the C-130J, operated by both countries, reflected the growing industrial and defence cooperation between India and the US, while supporting skilled employment and resilient supply chains.
TASL CEO and Managing Director Sukaran Singh said the partnership with Lockheed Martin has enabled the company to supply world-class aerostructures for key programmes, including the C-130J.
He said the collaboration has now expanded to Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities, which are expected to become operational soon.
The Tata Advanced Systems MRO facility is scheduled to open in December this year, with aircraft arrival planned for spring 2027.
Lockheed Martin Vice-President (Air Mobility and Maritime Missions) Trish Pagan said the partnership with Indian industry has created aerospace manufacturing capabilities that support C-130J operators worldwide.
She said the company would continue to explore opportunities to expand advanced manufacturing, technology and production capabilities in India.
The C-130J Super Hercules, certified across 20 missions, is used by armed forces globally for tactical airlift operations, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and special mission roles.
The companies said India’s contribution to the C-130J programme through production of empennages reflects the integration of Indian industry into the global aerospace supply chain and the growing India-US defence partnership.
Pagan said the Medium Transport Aircraft opportunity would further strengthen the existing partnership between Tata Advanced Systems and Lockheed Martin, which has been in place for more than 15 years.
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