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Lockheed Martin Eyes Major India Expansion with Transport Aircraft Bid Win
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CNBC TV18•04-10-2026, 09:06
Lockheed Martin Eyes Major India Expansion with Transport Aircraft Bid Win
- •Lockheed Martin plans to significantly expand its production capabilities in India if it secures the bid to supply medium transport aircraft to the Indian armed forces.
- •India issued a tender for 60 medium transport aircraft, valued at USD 10.5 billion, attracting interest from five Indian companies including Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Mahindra Group.
- •Dan Tenney, Senior Vice President at Lockheed Martin, confirmed plans to expand their existing partnership with TASL, which currently produces C-130J components and empennages.
- •Lockheed Martin's proposal includes delivering 12 aircraft in flyaway condition and manufacturing 48 in India, alongside upgrading the IAF's current 12 C-130J aircraft.
- •The Indian Air Force's C-130J fleet has accumulated over 58,000 flight hours, performing critical missions in Ladakh, Nepal, and Sudan.
Key Questions Answered
In August, India issued a tender to procure 60 medium transport aircraft at a cost of USD 10.5 billion (or approximately Rs 1 lakh crore) to replace ageing cargo aircraft and enhance tactical air transport capabilities.
Five Indian companies are in the fray for the contract: Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), Mahindra Group, Adani Defence & Aerospace, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and Reliance Defence.
Lockheed Martin's proposal includes supplying 12 aircraft in flyaway condition and manufacturing 48 in India, alongside upgrading the Indian Air Force's existing fleet of 12 C-130Js to a common advanced configuration of 72 aircraft.
