Tata Advanced Systems and Lockheed Martin have begun construction on a new Defence Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Bengaluru, India. The facility is designed to support Lockheed Martin’s C-130J Super Hercules aircraft and aims to enhance maintenance capabilities for the Indian Air Force (IAF), as well as provide services for regional and global operators.
The groundbreaking event was attended by officials from the IAF, government representatives, industry leaders, and executives from both companies. Frank St. John, Chief Operating Officer of Lockheed Martin, said: “Today’s groundbreaking reflects how far our collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems and India has come, and where we’re headed together. For more than seven decades, we’ve grown alongside India’s expanding aerospace and defense industrial base. This new C-130 MRO facility strengthens that foundation. It brings world-class sustainment capability into India, improves readiness for the Indian Air Force, and creates opportunities that will support regional and global C-130 operators. We remain committed to building capability for India and from India for decades to come.”
Sukaran Singh, CEO & Managing Director of Tata Advanced Systems, commented: “This milestone marks more than the establishment of a new facility—it represents India’s growing confidence and capability in shaping its own defence future. The MRO venture strengthens our aerospace ecosystem, creating a foundation for innovation, skill development, and global competitiveness.”
The upcoming facility will offer depot-level maintenance, component repair and overhaul services, structural checks and restoration work, avionics upgrades, expanded training programs for Indian engineers and maintainers, as well as opportunities for local suppliers within the C-130 supply chain.
Tata Advanced Systems already manufactures empennages (tail assemblies) for the C-130 in partnership with Lockheed Martin. Recently Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited delivered its 250th C-130J tail section—a milestone reflecting ongoing cooperation between U.S. and Indian defense industries.
Rod McLean of Lockheed Martin Air Mobility stated: “The C-130J Super Hercules is a proven workhorse for India’s military and humanitarian missions. This Defence MRO facility will bolster response time and security in the Pacific, ensure world-class sustainment capability within India aligning with the country’s ambitions while advancing sustainment capability for the C-130J fleet across the globe.” He added: “The C‑130J and India have repeatedly achieved firsts together... This new MRO represents another historic first and a unique opportunity to lay the groundwork for a generational partnership between the C‑130 platform and India.”
Lockheed Martin has operated in India’s defense sector for over thirty years through joint ventures, apprenticeship programs, community initiatives, supplier conferences—supporting local manufacturing growth under national "Make in India" policies.
Construction of the MRO center is expected to finish by late 2026; it plans to begin servicing its first aircraft early in 2027.
The C-130J-30 model offers interoperability with air forces worldwide while providing lower lifecycle costs due to fuel efficiency compared to similar aircraft types. Since 2011 when India's first unit arrived, IAF crews have used it on high-altitude operations such as landings at Daulat Beg Oldi airfield or Nayoma Air Base—the latter being recognized as one of the highest operational fighter bases globally.
Globally there are over 560 active C-130Js serving twenty-three nations across various mission profiles including search-and-rescue operations or humanitarian aid delivery; collectively these aircraft have logged more than three million flight hours.
More information about these organizations can be found at www.lockheedmartin.com/c130 or www.lockheedmartin.com/india.
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