New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has applauded the United States-based global aerospace and defence giant Lockheed Martin's commitment towards realising the vision of 'Make in India, Make for the World.'
The statement came after Narendra Modi held a meeting with Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet in New Delhi last week.
India’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval was present during Modi's meeting with the top official of Lockheed Martin, which has provided India with a range of advanced defence technologies over the years.
After the meeting, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) posted on X (formerly Twitter): "CEO of Lockheed Martin, Jim Taiclet, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Lockheed Martin is a key partner in India-US Aerospace and Defence Industrial cooperation. We welcome its commitment towards realising the vision of 'Make in India, Make for the World'.
On the other hand, Lockheed Martin shared pictures of the meeting with PM Modi on X and said, "CEO Jim Taiclet joined Hon'ble Narendra Modi. As a trusted partner of over three decades, we recognize the promising talent and capabilities of the local industry and remain committed to strengthening the defence and industrial ties between our two nations."
TJMAL and C-130J Super Hercules
Lockheed Martin, which has provided India with a range of advanced defence technologies over the years to enhance the country's military capabilities in areas such as aerospace, naval systems, missile defence, and strategic capabilities, has set up a joint venture with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) for manufacturing the C-130J empennage in Hyderabad.
Indian Air Force (IAF) operates a fleet of 12 C-130J, or the Super Hercules, for its tactical airlift missions after a deal with the US.
According to Lockheed Martin, the IAF’s C-130J fleet represents the first major military contract between the US and India in more than 40 years as India is one of 22 nations in the world that choose the Super Hercules for its tactical airlift missions.
According to a report by the India News Network, the Hyderabad C-130J empennage unit of Lockheed Martin and TASL's joint venture, the Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL), is the single, global source of C-130J empennage assemblies included on all new Super Hercules aircraft.
The TLMAL joint venture has successfully manufactured and delivered more than 200 empennages since it began operations in 2010, while also raising the proportion of locally sourced components, as per reports.
The TLMAL joint venture also sponsors an on-the-job women’s apprenticeship programme, which provides critical manufacturing and business skills to help employees grow within India’s aerospace industry in support of the broader 'Skill India' initiative.
According to Lockheed Martin, the Super Hercules is also part of India’s C-130J Roll-On/Roll-Off University Design Challenge.
Through this initiative, Lockheed Martin provides research grants for teams from Indian universities to work with local industry partners and mentors from India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation to develop design specifications for proposed modules that could be used on a Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules cargo aircraft.
MH-60 Romeo
MH-60R is the latest thread in the stories of Lockheed Martin and US-India partnerships, and it is the largest programme for Lockheed Martin in India in support of US Government foreign military sales, according to reports.
The MH-60R multi-role helicopters provide a vital capability for the Indian Navy in the Indo-Pacific region.
The US Navy and its MH-60R international partners are committed to operating the MH-60R for the next 30 years, as per Lockheed Martin.
According to the US defence major, an MH-60R acquisition allows the Indian Navy to benefit from an active production line getting them this capability quickly, and the ongoing support Lockheed Martin is providing for over 300 MH-60Rs flown by the US Navy, the Royal Australian Navy, Royal Danish Navy, and the Royal Saudi Naval Forces.
MH-60R acquisition ensures partner Navies are part of the technology insertion roadmap, including obsolescence mitigation, ensuring the Romeo stays relevant and ahead of the evolving threat environment, as stated by the company.
S-92 Helicopter
Connecticut-based helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky, which has been acquired by Lockheed Martin, relies on a joint venture company called Tata Sikorsky Aerospace Ltd. (TSAL), in Hyderabad, as the manufacturing base for its global supply of cabin aerostructures for the S-92 helicopter, according to Lockheed Martin.
Since production began in 2010, TSAL has delivered 157 cabins to Sikorsky’s S-92 assembly plant in the US.
Currently, production of more than 5,000 precision components that compose each S-92 cabin is 100 percent indigenous to India — supplied by TSAL, as per Lockheed Martin, the Sikorsky parent.
F-21
Specially configured for the Indian Air Force (IAF), the F-21 -- the most advanced fourth-generation fighter platform -- provides unmatched ‘Make in India’ opportunities for Indian companies of all sizes, including Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and suppliers throughout India, establish new business relationships with Lockheed Martin and other industry leaders in the US and around the globe, and strengthens India’s path to an advanced airpower future, according to the company.
The F-21 addresses the IAF’s unique requirements and integrates India into the world’s largest fighter aircraft ecosystem with the defence major.
According to reports, Lockheed Martin and Tata would produce the F-21 in India, for India.
"Lockheed Martin’s proposed F-21 partnership with India will deliver advanced, scalable capabilities to the Indian Air Force, provide unmatched industrial opportunities, and accelerate India-US cooperation on advanced technologies," the defence company stated.
According to reports, this F-21 programme will be ‘Made in India’ generating tens of thousands of highly skilled jobs through the maturation of India’s large and emerging aerospace and defence (A&D) manufacturing network.
Lockheed Martin said it is committed to strategic, long-term international defence partnerships with India, which has a pressing need for advanced, scalable defence capabilities.
"We are proposing game-changing defence partnerships that benefit multiple stakeholders in India, the US and beyond," Lockheed Martin said.
"Our proposed partnerships with India—for new fighter aircraft, helicopters and other platforms—are ideally suited to not just meet, but exceed India’s capability and defence-industrial needs in the near-term and well into the future," it added.
Lockheed Martin also stated that it continued to explore opportunities for closer collaboration and partnerships, including supporting the Digital India initiative.
