C-130J for Indian Air Force? Lockheed Martin pitches military transport aircraft amid India’s buying plans
Marietta (US), Dec 28 (PTI) As India prepares to procure up to 80 military transport aircraft, US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin has put forward the C-130J Super Hercules as the best option and said the aircraft will provide a “stronger” weight for tactical airlift between the Quad countries.
If Lockheed Martin grabs the opportunity, it will set up a mega hub in India to manufacture the “iconic” aircraft, making it the first such global facility outside the US, senior officials of the company told PTI.
To date, Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 560 aircraft of the C-130J Super Hercules family, totaling more than three million flight hours. The leading tactical airlift company serves 28 operators in 23 countries.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) currently operates 12 C-130Js.
Lockheed Martin offers
Besides the standard transport version, Lockheed Martin offers numerous specialized configurations of the C-130J that enable it to fulfill intelligence, electronic warfare and special forces support, search and rescue and command roles.
Besides India, three other Quad member countries (USA, Australia and Japan) operate C-130Js.
“The C-130J Super Hercules reflects proven performance and versatility across 20 unique mission sets. It holds 54 world records. Proven in every challenging operational environment, the C-130J’s structural durability is the standard of reliability, safety and excellence,” said Patricia Trish Pagan, Lockheed Martin Vice President of Air Mobility and Maritime Missions.
Lockheed Martin is the preferred partner globally because C-130Js are “built to deliver and to last,” Pagan said, adding that the aircraft would be “the best option for India.”
India’s purchasing plans
In 2022, the IAF issued a Request for Information (RFI) to purchase medium transport aircraft (MTA) to replace its aging fleet of Soviet-era AN-32 and IL-76 aircraft.
The IAF plans to procure around 80 military transport aircraft and the multi-billion dollar procurement is expected to be approved by the Defense Acquisition Council in the next few weeks.
Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer’s KC-390 Millennium aircraft and Airbus Defense and Space’s A-400M aircraft are also in the race for the MTA program.
The US defense major has partnered with Tata Advanced Systems to bid on the C-130J Super Hercules programme.
Currently, Lockheed Martin is in the process of adding new innovations to the C-130Js, including the Distributed Aperture System (DAS), a key component in the F-35 Lightning fighter jets.
DAS is a global sensor suite with six infrared cameras that provides pilots with detailed situational awareness, missile warning and night vision.
“We have a proven global track record, deep India collaboration experience, a robust supply chain that includes an extensive network of Indian suppliers, and the ability to build capacity that will benefit India, the world and regional security,” Pagan said.
Roderick McLean, Vice President of Sustainability Operations at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, said the MTA program could bring “new strategic value” to the India-US partnership as it would enable both sides to strengthen their defense industrial base.
McLean also argued that there has been no tactical airlift aircraft in history that matches the suitability and versatility of the C-130Js, as the aircraft has benefited from over 70 years of innovation and incorporated new features such as artificial intelligence.
“We’re doing a lot on connectivity to be able to connect systems from the seabed to space. We’re looking at all the connectivity systems we have and how to bring those systems to the C-130Js and make them available to meet the needs of the IAF and others around the world,” he said.
“The value C-130Js provide is not just what they do today, but what they can do in the future through continuous innovation, and will also enable the IAF to partner with Lockheed Martin to leverage the strength of the company,” he added.
Added value of the MTA program
McLean said the MTA program will be a tremendous opportunity for future growth of the C-130J fleet. “This represents the largest international opportunity for C-130s in its 70-year history.”
“Whether supporting NATO, the Quad or any of a network of 70 operators, the C-130 and Lockheed Martin have a track record of sustained performance in the harshest and most extreme operational environments.”
“With the selection of MTA, we are committed and ready to deliver advanced capabilities to the region, the country and the world by bringing together other systems, programs and countries while strengthening India’s industrial ecosystem,” he said.
Robert Toth, vice president of business development, air mobility and maritime missions at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, said the C130Js are a “symbol of hope” around the world and would be the right choice for India’s MTA program.
“Operated by India and 22 other countries, the C-130J has logged over 3 million flight hours and proven its capability, versatility and endurance in the execution of 20 certified mission sets in the most challenging operational environments,” he said.
“Every day, the IAF’s C-130J aircrews, maintainers and support personnel prove that the C-130J is the right medium transport aircraft to provide security from sea to India to Daulat Beg Oldie, the world’s highest airfield, located at 16,614 feet above sea level in the Himalayas,” he said.
Lockheed Martin’s India plans
Toth called Lockheed Martin’s plan to establish the first major manufacturing center for the aircraft outside its Marietta facility in India as very important.
“India is the only place outside the US where we are considering a C-130J joint production line. We will establish the second final assembly line in India to produce C-130Js for the IAF under the MTA program and maintain full-speed production in Marietta Georgia for other customers.”
“Of the more than 2,700 C-130s built, only the first two prototype aircraft were built outside Marietta. They were built in Burbank, California,” he said.
Toth said the proposed center for the production of the aircraft would also open doors for the possible export of the aircraft to various other markets.
“With the selection of the Lockheed Martin C-130J, India will not only receive the most capable medium transport aircraft ever built, but India will also have a partner in Lockheed Martin who has a deep understanding of the IAF’s mission and is ready to deliver tailored solutions to current and future challenges.”
Toth argued that India’s purchase of an additional fleet of C-130J Super Hercules would give it an advantage in the Quad, adding that the aircraft was a “centerpiece” for the air forces of the group’s member countries.
Australia is currently in the process of replacing its original C-130J fleet with brand new C-130Js. Japan plans to do the same.
“The U.S. C-130J inventory continues to grow. And we believe India’s availability of more C-130Js through the Indian MTA program gives it a stronger airlift position within the Quad,” Toth said.
He also said that Lockheed Martin could deliver the planes to India much faster than its rivals.
“We produce 20 to 24 aircraft a year at Marietta. Recently we have produced up to 36 aircraft a year here. Some years we have produced more than that.”
Toth said the company has the ability to increase production rate to meet any global demand. “I believe that thanks to the production line we have here today, we will be able to meet India’s initial demand for aircraft faster than our competitors,” he said.
“I think we have the capacity to produce additional aircraft for India, and the production line to be established in India produces this capacity,” he said.
Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems have been jointly manufacturing C-130J tailpieces and other aerospace components in India for the last few years.
The C-130J tail or tail assembly manufactured at Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL) in Hyderabad is being shipped to the US for integration into C-130J aircraft built in Marietta.
Recently Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL) celebrated the delivery of its 250th C-130J tail.
The Defense MRO facility will join the existing global network of Lockheed Martin Certified Service Centers and will be strategically located to service C-130J Super Hercules, KC-130J and C-130 BH legacy aircraft in the future.
