US Ambassador visits Hyderabad C-130J facility as Tata-Lockheed Martin eye India’s medium transport aircraft opportunity
Ambassador Sergio Gor’s visit to TLMAL highlighted India’s role in the global C-130J supply chain as Tata Advanced Systems and Lockheed Martin explore deeper cooperation around the medium transport aircraft
U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor (centre) tours the empennage production line at TLMAL’s Hyderabad facility on August 24, 2026. The facility is the sole worldwide source for C-130J Super Hercules tail sections.
HYDERABAD: U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor visited the Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL) facility in Hyderabad on Monday, highlighting the growing U.S.-India aerospace and defence industrial partnership and the role of Indian manufacturing in the global C-130J Super Hercules supply chain.
The visit comes as Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Lockheed Martin prepare to pursue opportunities linked to the recently released Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) requirement, potentially taking their long-standing aerostructures partnership into a broader phase of cooperation.
During the visit, Gor toured TLMAL’s production line for C-130J Super Hercules empennages. The Hyderabad facility is described by the companies as an established production base with the ability to scale manufacturing in support of the MTA competition.
“The decades-long business partnership between the United States and India continues to grow stronger through innovation, shared security interests, and economic cooperation,” Gor said, pointing to the Indian workforce producing critical structures for a platform operated by both countries. He also highlighted the partnership’s potential to create high-skilled jobs and strengthen aerospace supply chains.
Sukaran Singh, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Tata Advanced Systems Limited, said the partnership with Lockheed Martin had demonstrated its ability to supply aerostructures for major programmes, including the C-130J.
The partnership has also expanded into maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), with the TASL MRO facility scheduled to open in December 2026 and aircraft arrivals planned for spring 2027. Singh said the two companies were also exploring cooperation on complete platforms for Make in India, subject to an opportunity to do so.
Trish Pagan, Vice President, Air Mobility and Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin, said collaboration with Indian industry had established aerospace manufacturing capabilities supporting the global network of C-130J operators.
Pagan said Lockheed Martin remained committed to supporting India’s aerospace ambitions and exploring opportunities to expand advanced manufacturing, technology and production capabilities in the country.
The C-130J Super Hercules is certified across 20 missions and is used for tactical airlift, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and special mission operations. India’s production of C-130J empennages has integrated Indian industry into the aircraft’s global supply chain, according to Lockheed Martin.
Lockheed Martin said it has invested in its joint venture partnership with Tata for more than 15 years, while the MTA opportunity could further extend the established relationship and manufacturing capabilities.
The companies said the collaboration is aligned with India’s defence modernisation and Make in India objectives, while strengthening domestic aerospace manufacturing capabilities and industrial participation.
The TLMAL facility in Hyderabad is described in the release as the sole worldwide source for C-130J Super Hercules tail sections.
