Lockheed Martin eyes bigger India footprint with $10.5bn military aircraft bid
Lockheed Martin is proposing to expand its existing manufacturing partnership with Tata Advanced Systems in India as part of its $10.5 billion bid for the Indian Air Force's medium transport aircraft contract. The proposal aims to localize production for the C-130J-30 Super Hercules, competing against Embraer's C-390 Millennium to replace India's aging transport fleet.
Why it matters
This deal represents a significant shift in global defense manufacturing, highlighting India's growing role as a strategic production hub for Western aerospace giants and the modernization of the Indian military's logistics capabilities.
Lockheed Martin is looking to significantly expand its aircraft manufacturing capabilities in India if it wins the country's $10.5 billion medium transport aircraft contract, building on its existing production partnership with Tata Advanced Systems Limited.The US aerospace major already manufactures key C-130J Super Hercules components in India through its joint venture with Tata, including the aircraft's empennage or tail assembly.Dan Tenney, senior vice president, global business development and strategy at Lockheed Martin, told PTI that the company plans to expand this existing capability as part of its bid for the medium transport aircraft programme."We have a long partnership with Tata that produces components and empennages of the C-130J aircraft.
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