A team of senior Lockheed Martin executives led by Patrick Dewar, Executive Vice President, Lockheed Martin International, visited the Tata-Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL) facility in Hyderabad on January 21, 2015, to inspect the C130-Js as well as to tour the TLMAL site. Set up in 2012, TLMAL manufactures airframe components for the global supply chain of the C-130J Super Hercules. TLMAL was the winner in the best joint venture category at the 2013 Aerospace & Defense Awards. Tata Advanced Systems holds a 74 per cent stake in the joint venture, with Lockheed Martin holding the remaining 26 per cent stake.

“This is our first JV in India, and it has strengthened our relationship with the Indian Defense customers as well as reinforced our commitment and partnership with Indian industry,” said Dewar. “We are extremely pleased with the role Tata has played in ensuring that the manufacturing output at this facility is of top quality, and look forward to exploring expanded opportunities for greater collaboration in the near future.”

Lockheed Martin has already supplied six C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to the Indian Air Force, and has signed a follow-on agreement for six more, to be based in Panagarh. Tata Advanced Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons that provides integrated solutions for aerospace, defense, homeland security and disaster management.