US Ambassador Sergio Gor Visits Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Facility in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD — United States Ambassador to India Sergio Gor visited the Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Ltd (TLMAL) facility in Hyderabad on Monday. The visit emphasized the ongoing economic partnership, shared security interests, and industrial cooperation between the United States and India.

During his visit, Ambassador Gor toured the production line responsible for manufacturing empennages for the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. The Hyderabad plant plays a critical role in supporting the global airlifter platform, which is operated by both nations.

Highlighting the broader scope of bilateral ties, Ambassador Gor noted that the production of critical structures in India exemplifies growing industrial and defense cooperation. He stated that such partnerships support high-skilled jobs, build resilient supply chains, and advance a shared vision for the Indo-Pacific region.

The TLMAL facility represents a longstanding collaboration between Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL). The partnership focuses on expanding advanced aerospace manufacturing capabilities in India to support the country's defense modernization and 'Make in India' initiatives.

Sukaran Singh, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of TASL, shared updates on the partnership's evolution. He stated that the collaboration has extended to Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services, which are scheduled to become operational soon. The Tata Advanced Systems' MRO facility opening is planned for December of this year, with aircraft arrival slated for Spring 2027. Additionally, both parties are exploring cooperation on full platforms for 'Make in India' opportunities to support the Ministry of Defence.

Trish Pagan, Vice President of Air Mobility and Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin, added that the collaboration with Indian industry has established world-class aerospace manufacturing capabilities supporting the global network of C-130J operators. The aircraft is certified across 20 missions and serves as a cornerstone for tactical airlift, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and special mission operations globally.

"The ongoing collaboration between Tata Advanced Systems and Lockheed Martin demonstrates the maturity of India's aerospace manufacturing sector. Expanding capabilities into MRO services and exploring full platform production under 'Make in India' highlights how strategic joint ventures can integrate local industrial ecosystems into global supply chains while creating high-skilled employment opportunities." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes