U.S. Ambassador Sergio Gor at the empennage production line at TLMAL Hyderabad facility on Monday.

| Photo Credit: Arrangement

The U.S. and India economic partnership continues to grow stronger through innovation, shared security interests and economic cooperation, U.S. Ambassador Sergio Gor said during a visit to the Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures (TLMAL) facility in Hyderabad on Monday.During the visit, he toured the production line that manufactures empennages for the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. The Hyderabad plant is emblematic of the critical role Indian industry plays in supporting the world’s most versatile and proven airlifter. The joint venture reflects an existing, established, and proven ability to produce and scale production to meet Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) competition requirements, the joint venture company said in a release.TLMAL is a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) and Lockheed Martin and was established in 2010 in Hyderabad.“The production in India of critical structures for the C-130J, a platform operated by both our nations, is a strong example of the growing industrial and defence cooperation between the U.S. and India. Partnerships like these support high-skilled jobs, strengthen resilient supply chains and advance our shared vision for a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific,” Mr. Gor said.The visit highlighted the longstanding collaboration between Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems and the companies’ shared commitment to expanding advanced aerospace manufacturing capabilities in India in support of the country’s defence modernisation and Make in India initiatives. The partnership between Tata Advanced Systems and Lockheed Martin is stronger than ever and enters a new phase as the team works to fulfill the recently released Medium Transport Aircraft requirement and continues to grow India’s aerospace and defence ecosystem, the company said.“The partnership has now extended to MRO, which will be operational soon. Additionally, both parties are expanding cooperation on full platforms for Make in India, should we get the opportunity,” Tata Advanced Systems CEO and MD Sukaran Singh said.The Tata Advanced Systems’ MRO opening is planned for December with aircraft arrival slated for Spring 2027. Published - August 24, 2026 08:34 pm IST