India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities received a major boost with the delivery of the 250th Made-in-India tail assembly for the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. The milestone was announced by Lockheed Martin, which hailed it as a significant achievement in the long-standing defence partnership between India and the United States.
The empennage—comprising the complete tail structure along with horizontal and vertical stabilisers—is a key component of the C-130J, the world’s most widely used and battle-proven tactical airlifter. Built by Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL), the joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Lockheed Martin, the component is produced at the advanced aerospace facility in Hyderabad and shipped to the US for final integration.
Rod McLean, Vice President of Air Mobility & Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin, said the 250th delivery underscores the precision, quality, and reliability demonstrated by Indian industry—qualities that support a global C-130J fleet that spans 23 nations and conducts over 20 mission types from humanitarian relief to special operations.
Established in 2010, TLMAL has become a cornerstone of the India–US defence industrial collaboration, contributing significantly to India’s Make in India and aerospace self-reliance goals. The programme has advanced India’s capabilities in high-precision manufacturing, quality control, and workforce development while strengthening Lockheed Martin’s global supply chain.
The milestone, Lockheed Martin noted, is a “major step forward” in bilateral industrial cooperation, reflecting shared commitments to innovation, durability, and long-term strategic defence collaboration.
With more than 560 C-130J aircraft worldwide logging over 3 million flight hours, the delivery signals India’s growing role as a trusted producer within the global aerospace ecosystem—setting high standards in tactical airlifter manufacturing and international supply-chain reliability.
