New Delhi: Simply days after Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded his go to to India on December 5, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics made a proposal that instantly drew consideration in New Delhi’s defence circles. The American producer has supplied to work with India to supply the C-130J Tremendous Hercules throughout the nation. That is the primary time america has been prepared to create a full manufacturing line for the plane past its borders.
The corporate disclosed its plan on December 9, stating that it sees India as the perfect host for its first abroad manufacturing hub. The announcement got here shut on the heels of Putin’s conferences in New Delhi, the place Indian and Russian officers mentioned about strengthening defence cooperation.
In accordance with a PTI report, the Indian Air Pressure (IAF) has begun the method of buying 80 tactical elevate transport plane. Lockheed Martin believes the C-130J matches the IAF’s necessities. It mentioned the plane has constructed a powerful document as a reliable transport platform throughout greater than 20 nations, together with India.
Lockheed Martin Vice President Robert Toth mentioned the IAF’s Medium Transport Plane (MTA) programme offers the corporate “a gap by means of which it might develop its functionality in India and construct a stronger base right here”.
IAF Already Operates 12 C-130Js
A senior official from the corporate mentioned, “We’ve continued our funding within the C-130J underneath the MTA programme and are making ready ourselves to construct the plane in India.”
Toth added, “Of all of the alternatives we see the world over, India is the primary nation the place we have now dedicated to organising a co-production facility outdoors america.”
At current, the IAF operates 12 C-130J Tremendous Hercules plane.
IAF Needs 80 Transport Plane
To take part within the MTA bidding course of, the corporate has partnered with Tata Superior Methods. Again in 2022, the IAF had issued a Request for Data to determine replacements for its ageing Soviet-era AN-32 and IL-36 fleets.
The air power goals to acquire roughly 80 army transport plane, and officers imagine the challenge may obtain formal approval within the coming weeks.
Different Contenders In The Race
The MTA programme has attracted world curiosity. Brazil’s Embraer has pitched its KC-390 Millennium, whereas Airbus Defence and Area is competing with the A-400M.
The C-130J Tremendous Hercules stays probably the most broadly used army transport plane on this planet, serving 28 operators throughout 23 nations. Greater than 560 models have been delivered up to now.