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Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. (TASL) and U.S. aerospace company Lockheed Martin have launched construction of a new maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility dedicated to supporting C-130J Super Hercules aircraft in India. The project is intended to strengthen the Indian Air Force’s sustainment infrastructure while positioning India as a future centre for regional aircraft support.
Senior representatives from the Indian Air Force, government ministries, and both companies attended the groundbreaking ceremony, underscoring the initiative’s strategic significance.
Lockheed Martin Chief Operating Officer Frank St. John said the new centre reflects the long-term evolution of the company’s partnership with India. He noted that developing an in-country capability for major C-130 inspections and repair work will shorten turnaround times for the IAF and create options for operators elsewhere in Asia and beyond.
TASL’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Sukaran Singh, highlighted the broader industrial impact, describing the facility as a step toward deeper domestic self-reliance in aerospace sustainment. According to Singh, the project is expected to support high-skilled employment, training programs for technicians and engineers, and opportunities for Indian suppliers to further integrate into the global C-130 ecosystem.
New Capabilities Planned
The upcoming facility will be equipped to handle heavy airframe maintenance, component overhaul, structural restoration, and modernisation upgrades for the C-130J and potentially earlier-generation C-130 variants. It will also offer training for maintenance professionals, expanding the national talent pool for military aircraft sustainment.
TASL already manufactures major C-130 aerostructure assemblies through its joint venture with Lockheed Martin, and the new MRO centre builds on that existing industrial footprint. The companies recently marked the delivery of the 250th C-130J empennage produced in India, a milestone in the wider U.S.–India cooperation in defence manufacturing.
Operational Importance for India
The IAF relies heavily on the C-130J fleet for strategic and tactical airlift, mountain operations, disaster relief and special missions. The aircraft has been used in several demanding high-altitude landings, including operations in Ladakh. The ability to maintain and overhaul these platforms domestically is seen as an important capability for operational readiness.
Timeline
Construction is scheduled to conclude by late 2026, with the first aircraft expected to enter the facility for servicing in early 2027.
C-130J-30 Background
India began operating the C-130J-30 variant in 2011. Worldwide, the aircraft is used by more than 20 nations for missions ranging from tactical transport and search-and-rescue to special operations and humanitarian relief. The fleet has accumulated millions of flight hours globally.
Team BharatShakti
