U.S. envoy Sergio Gor visits Tata-Lockheed Martin manufacturing hub as India hunts for 80 transport aircraft
U.S. Ambassador Sergio Gor visited the Tata-Lockheed Martin manufacturing facility in Hyderabad to highlight growing defense cooperation between the two nations. The facility is a key production hub for C-130J aircraft components, as India considers the platform for a major medium transport aircraft procurement contract.
Why it matters
This visit underscores the deepening strategic and industrial defense partnership between the U.S. and India, particularly in the context of regional security in the Indo-Pacific.
The production in India of critical structures for the C-130J military transport aircraft is a strong example of the growing defence cooperation between the US and India and such efforts are set to advance the shared vision for a free and secure Indo-Pacific, U.S. Ambassador Sergio Gor said on Monday (August 24, 2026).
The envoy made the remarks after visiting the Tata-Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Ltd's manufacturing facility in Hyderabad.
Established in 2010, the joint venture focuses on complementing India's 'Make in India' objectives and has the distinction of being the single global source of C-130J empennage assemblies included on all new Super Hercules aircraft produced in the U.S.
The Tata Advanced Systems and Lockheed Martin joint venture is now eyeing to address India's requirement of around 80 Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) under a multi-billion dollar procurement programme.
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