Lockheed Martin C-130 to fly with Indian wing box

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The additional six C-130J Lockheed Martin Hercules aircraft that the Indian Air Force (IAF) is wishing to acquire and many more of these massive air lifters will have an important component manufactured in India.The Hyderabad-based Tata Lockheed Martin Aero (TLMA) structures, a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems and Lockheed Martin here on Friday handed over the first of the Indian made C-130 Center Wing Box (CWB-that holds the wings in place and keep them cantilevered) at a ceremony held at the TLMA facility located at the Aerospace SEZ in Adibhatla of Ranga Reddy district on the outskirts of Hyderabad.

The CWB was formally handed over to George Shultz , Vice-President, Lockheed Martin, C-130 by S Ramdorai , Chairman of the TLMA in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N K Reddy.

Quoting US Deputy Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter, who referred India and the US and “kindred” souls , Shultz said that Lockheed has handed over six C-130s fondly called as air lifters to the IAF. “On December 15 last year, the sixth of six C-130J Super Hercules ordered by India left our facility in Marietta. We are looking forward to India placing the order for the next six – and here is where the story really starts. Those C-130Js will have parts on them made right here in Hyderabad. With this the CWB manufacturing unit became a global base and a critical asset to Indian defence,” he added.

Lockheed Martin C-130 to fly with Indian wing box | idrw.org

 

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one more feather i the hat of TATA