MRO & Manufacturing
Tata and Lockheed Martin Launch C-130J MRO Facility in Bengaluru
Tata Advanced Systems and Lockheed Martin begin building a C-130J MRO facility in Bengaluru to support Indian and regional defense aircraft maintenance by 2027.
This article is based on an official press release from Lockheed Martin.
In a significant expansion of the United States-India defense partnership, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Lockheed Martin have officially broken ground on a new Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Bengaluru, India. According to an official press release from Lockheed Martin, the ceremony took place on December 8, 2025, marking the beginning of construction for a site designed to support the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) fleet of C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.
The new facility represents a deepening of the long-standing collaboration between the two aerospace giants. It aims to establish a regional hub for heavy maintenance and sustainment, potentially serving C-130J operators across the broader Indo-Pacific region. Executives from both companies, along with senior officials from the Indian Air Force and government dignitaries, attended the event to underscore the strategic importance of indigenous defense capabilities.
The establishment of this MRO center aligns directly with the Indian government’s “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) initiatives. By localizing deep maintenance capabilities, the facility is expected to reduce the IAF’s reliance on foreign depots for heavy checks and structural overhauls.
According to the company’s announcement, the facility will provide comprehensive support services, including depot-level maintenance, structural inspections, component repairs, and avionics upgrades. This move transitions the Indian aerospace ecosystem from manufacturing assembly into complex sustainment and engineering work.
Sukaran Singh, CEO and Managing Director of TASL, highlighted the broader implications of the project in a statement:
“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.”
, Sukaran Singh, CEO of Tata Advanced Systems Limited
Construction of the facility is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, with full operations expected to commence in early 2027. The project is anticipated to generate thousands of skilled jobs for engineers and technicians while driving business for domestic suppliers in the machining and electronics sectors. While the primary mission is to support the IAF’s fleet of 12 C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft, Lockheed Martin has positioned the Bengaluru facility as a future hub for the entire region. The C-130J is a widely used platform, operated by 26 nations globally with over 500 aircraft delivered.
Frank St. John, Chief Operating Officer of Lockheed Martin, emphasized the facility’s dual role in supporting local and international needs:
“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.”
, Frank St. John, COO of Lockheed Martin
Industry data suggests that potential future customers for the facility could include operators in Indonesia, Australia, and New Zealand, all of whom maintain active C-130 fleets. This regional approach allows Lockheed Martin to offer faster turnaround times for maintenance checks compared to shipping aircraft to facilities in the United States or Europe.
We view this groundbreaking as a calculated strategic maneuver by Lockheed Martin to bolster its bid for the Indian Air Force’s upcoming Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) tender. The IAF is seeking to procure approximately 40 to 80 new transport aircraft, a contract of significant value. By establishing a permanent, local MRO infrastructure, Lockheed Martin is demonstrating a commitment to “lifecycle support”,a critical evaluation metric for the Indian Ministry of Defence.
Furthermore, this facility cements the maturity of the Tata-Lockheed partnership. Their existing joint venture, Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL) in Hyderabad, is already the single global source for C-130J empennages (tail assemblies) and recently celebrated the delivery of its 250th unit. Moving from component manufacturing to full-scale MRO is a logical progression that enhances Lockheed’s competitive edge against rivals who may lack such a deep domestic footprint.
What is the purpose of the new facility? When will the facility be operational? Will this facility only serve India?
Tata and Lockheed Martin Break Ground on Major C-130J MRO Facility in Bengaluru
Strengthening Indigenous Defense Capabilities
Timeline and Economic Impact
A Regional Hub for the Indo-Pacific
AirPro News Analysis
Strategic Positioning for the MTA Tender
Frequently Asked Questions
The facility will provide Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services for C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, including heavy structural checks and avionics upgrades.
Construction is expected to finish in late 2026, with operations starting in early 2027.
No. While the Indian Air Force is the primary customer, the facility is designed to serve C-130J operators throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Sources
Photo Credit: Lockheed Martin