James D. Taiclet, Lockheed Martin Chairman, President & CEO, United States Secretary of Commerce, Gina M. Raimondo, and Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons recognise a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited
Lockheed Martin and Tata Group have reached an
agreement to begin the implementation of fighter wing production at the
companies’ joint venture, Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL),
in Hyderabad, India. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) envisions production
of 29 fighter wing shipsets, with an option of additional shipsets, and
deliveries commencing in 2025.
Lockheed Martin
formally recognised TLMAL as a potential co-producer of fighter
wings in October 2021 following TLMAL’s successful production and qualification
of a prototype fighter wing shipset. Through this prototype project, TLMAL was required to
demonstrate the capability to perform detailed part manufacturing and delivery
of a fully compliant fuel-carrying 9-g, 12,000 hour, interchangeable/replaceable representative fighter wing. That
achievement further strengthened Lockheed Martin’s partnership with India; and
supports its F-21 offering for
procurement of 114 new fighter aircraft — exclusively for India and the Indian
Air Force — by proving additional indigenous production capability.
“The India F-21 represents an
unprecedented strategic and economic opportunity for the United States-India
relationship and represents a catalyst to future advanced technology
cooperation” stated the company.
Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Lockheed Martin
Aeronautics established TLMAL as a joint venture in 2010. TLMAL demonstrates
the government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat ‘Make in India’
and ‘Skills India’ goals and serves as the single global source of C-130J
empennage assemblies that are installed on all new Super Hercules aircraft. To
date, TLMAL has manufactured and delivered nearly 200 C-130J empennages.
“Lockheed
Martin continues to build upon more than seven decades of association and three
decades of partnership with India by nurturing and expanding collaborations
with local industry to support the evolution of indigenous defence
manufacturing ecosystems, and further advance India’s strategic security and
industrial capabilities. These range from transport, maritime and
fighter aircraft, to shipborne air and missile defence projects, as well as
capabilities in civil sectors including new and renewable energy. Lockheed
Martin India’s joint ventures, apprenticeships and founding membership of the
India Innovation Growth Programme underscore its conviction to Indian industry,
talent and progress”, further stated the company.