Bengaluru: TATA Advanced Systems and Lockheed Martin have announced the establishment of a new Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Bengaluru to support the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) fleet of C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft.
The facility is expected to enhance operational readiness and sustainment capabilities for the 12 C-130Js currently in service with the IAF. Known for their reliability and versatility, these aircraft perform both military and humanitarian missions, including operations in challenging high-altitude regions such as Daulat Beg Oldi and Nyoma Air Base in eastern Ladakh.
The new MRO centre will provide comprehensive services, including heavy maintenance, component repair, structural checks, avionics upgrades, and testing. It will also focus on training Indian engineers and technicians, while fostering opportunities for local suppliers across the C-130 supply chain.
TATA Advanced Systems, which already partners with Lockheed Martin in producing C-130 empennages and aero-structures in India, will lead operations at the MRO. The collaboration aims to localise sustainment capabilities, strengthen India’s aerospace base, and integrate the facility into Lockheed Martin’s global Certified Service Centre network, making India a key hub for C-130 maintenance in the region.
Senior Lockheed Martin executives highlighted that the facility will improve air readiness for the IAF and offer strategic sustainment support for regional operators. The MRO is expected to be completed by late 2026, with the first aircraft scheduled for maintenance in early 2027.
The initiative supports India’s broader ‘Make in India’ vision, enhancing domestic aerospace expertise and enabling self-reliance in defence technology sustenance. It also opens doors for skill development, industrial innovation, and potential global competitiveness in aircraft maintenance and support services.
This partnership reinforces the strategic collaboration between TATA Advanced Systems and Lockheed Martin, underlining India’s growing role as both a consumer and a regional hub for advanced military aircraft maintenance. It marks a significant step in strengthening India-US defence ties and expanding the domestic aerospace ecosystem for future defence projects.
