New Delhi, Dec 5, 2025 — Lockheed Martin has celebrated the delivery of the 250th C-130J Super Hercules tail component manufactured by its joint venture in India, marking a significant milestone in the enduring aerospace partnership between India and the United States. The tail assembly, also known as the empennage, includes the horizontal and vertical stabilisers that are critical for aircraft stability and control. Lockheed Martin described the achievement as a testament to the deep collaboration between Indian industry and the US aerospace giant.

The components are produced by Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL), a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Lockheed Martin, established in 2010 in Hyderabad. The tail assemblies manufactured in India are shipped to Lockheed Martin’s facility in Marietta, Georgia, for integration into C-130J aircraft.

“This 250th delivery highlights the deep collaboration between Lockheed Martin and Indian industry and reinforces India’s growing role in the global aerospace supply chain,” said Rod McLean, Vice President, Air Mobility & Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin. He emphasized that the quality, precision, and reliability demonstrated by TLMAL directly support the global C-130J fleet, which serves 23 nations across 20 mission types, ranging from humanitarian aid to special operations.

Strategic Industrial Collaboration

Lockheed Martin highlighted that the TLMAL facility in Hyderabad reflects the strength of its global supplier network, built over decades of partnership with India. Since the inception of the empennage program, both entities have collaborated on advanced manufacturing techniques, quality control, and workforce development, contributing significantly to India’s ‘Make in India’ objectives.

The partnership supports India’s expanding aerospace and defence manufacturing capabilities while fulfilling Lockheed Martin’s global production requirements for the C-130J Super Hercules. The delivery of the 250th empennage underscores a growing strategic industrial relationship between India and the United States, reflecting shared commitments to innovation, durability, and long-term global security cooperation.

Global Significance of the C-130J Fleet

The C-130J Super Hercules is widely regarded as the world’s most versatile and operationally proven military airlifter. According to Lockheed Martin, the global C-130J fleet includes more than 560 aircraft, which have logged over three million flight hours. These aircraft operate across a wide range of missions, including:

• Humanitarian aid and disaster relief
• Combat delivery operations
• Peacekeeping missions
• Maritime patrol and special operations
• Aerial refuelling
• Medical evacuation (medevac)
• Commercial cargo transport

The empennage components manufactured by TLMAL contribute directly to these operations, ensuring reliability, safety, and mission readiness for nations around the world.

Significance for India

For India, the collaboration with Lockheed Martin represents a key milestone in its journey to become a global aerospace manufacturing hub. The program not only boosts domestic capabilities but also strengthens India’s strategic industrial ties with the United States, reinforcing trust and technological collaboration in the defence and aerospace sector.

Lockheed Martin officials described the milestone as a symbol of teamwork and innovation, noting that the joint efforts have set a benchmark for tactical airlifters worldwide. The empennage program continues to advance India’s role in the global aerospace supply chain, while supporting Lockheed Martin’s production timelines and standards.

The delivery of the 250th tail assembly is a clear demonstration of the synergy between Indian manufacturing excellence and global aerospace engineering, reflecting decades of partnership that have evolved to meet both domestic and international requirements. Lockheed Martin said that continued collaboration will help both nations maintain a competitive edge in global aerospace innovation, mission capability, and industrial capacity.