Lockheed Martin is competing for a $10.5 billion contract to supply medium transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF). Its bid covers 60 aircraft.
The U.S. aerospace company has proposed manufacturing 48 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft in India with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL). The first 12 aircraft would be delivered in fly-away condition, with the remaining 48 produced domestically.
The proposal builds on Lockheed Martin’s existing partnership with TASL, which manufactures C-130J empennages for the company’s global supply chain.
Lockheed Martin has also offered to upgrade the IAF’s existing 12 C-130J aircraft to the same advanced configuration. If selected, the proposal would give the IAF a common fleet of 72 aircraft and streamline logistics and operations.
India issued the tender in August 2026 to replace its aging transport fleet.