As India gears up to procure a new fleet of military transport aircraft, Lockheed Martin has pitched its C-130J Super Hercules, touting it as the "best" choice for the Indian Air Force's (IAF) tactical airlift requirements. The American aerospace giant has also proposed establishing a major production facility in India if selected, marking the first such global hub outside the United States.
The IAF's need for new transport aircraft stems from the necessity to replace its aging Soviet-era Antonov An-32 and Ilyushin Il-76 planes. To this end, the Defence Acquisition Council is expected to clear a procurement plan for up to 80 aircraft, potentially leading to a tender in early 2026. This acquisition aims to enhance the IAF's capabilities for rapid troop deployment, disaster relief, and long-range logistics.
Lockheed Martin emphasizes that the C-130J Super Hercules has a proven track record, with over 560 aircraft delivered worldwide, accumulating over three million flight hours across 28 operators in 23 nations. The IAF already operates 12 C-130Js. According to Lockheed Martin, this existing familiarity provides a significant advantage, as the IAF understands the aircraft's support, maintenance, and operational requirements.
Patricia Trish Pagan, Vice President at Lockheed Martin, stated that the C-130J Super Hercules offers superior performance and capabilities in any operational environment. She highlighted the aircraft's proven performance, versatility across various mission sets, and structural durability as key reasons why it would be the "best option for India".
Robert Toth, Vice President at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, pointed out that procuring additional C-130J Super Hercules aircraft would bolster India's tactical airlift capabilities within the Quad alliance, as the United States, Australia and Japan also operate the C-130J.
Lockheed Martin also highlights its existing partnership with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), which manufactures C-130J empennage assemblies in Hyderabad. TASL is also in the process of establishing a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in Bengaluru to support the IAF's C-130J fleet and other global Super Hercules fleets, expected to be operational in early 2027. This existing collaboration aligns with the Indian government's "Make in India" initiative, promoting domestic aerospace manufacturing.
The competition for the MTA contract is expected to be fierce. Embraer, in partnership with Mahindra Defence, is offering its C-390M Millennium aircraft, while Airbus is proposing its A400M Atlas, potentially with TASL. The selection process will consider lifecycle costs, industrial participation, and domestic sustainment capabilities, reflecting India's focus on self-reliance in defense.
The IAF is expected to issue the MTA Request for Proposal (RFP) next month. The new platform is intended to replace aging medium-lift aircraft and streamline logistics capability, with a requirement in the 18–30 tonne payload class and an estimated fleet size of around 80 aircraft.
