Lockheed Martin pitches India-built C-130J for $10.5B airlifter tender

Lockheed Martin has laid out its offer for India's Medium Transport Aircraft tender, a requirement for 60 airlifters valued at about $10.5 billion, and says it would expand production in India if it wins. The $10.5 billion is the value of the tender, not Lockheed's bid price. The company proposes 60 C-130J-30 aircraft in the Block 8.1.2 configuration: 12 delivered in flyaway condition from its Georgia facility and the remaining 48 built in India with Tata Advanced Systems.

India issued the request for proposals on August 12 to replace aging An-32 and Il-76 transports, with a minimum of 40% indigenous content, according to ThePrint. Lockheed and Tata already work together on the aircraft: the Hyderabad plant has produced 265 C-130J tail sections, and Lockheed plans a maintenance facility in Bengaluru by late 2026.

The 72 figure in some coverage is not a separate order. Lockheed says the Indian Air Force's existing 12 C-130Js could be upgraded to Block 8.1.2, giving a common fleet of 72 aircraft; ThePrint reported that the upgrade would be a separate contract outside the current proposal.

Lockheed faces Embraer's C-390, which confirmed Mahindra as its Indian partner on September 27, and Airbus's A400M. Lockheed argues the C-130J-30 carries 45 percent more fully combat-loaded paratroopers than the C-390, while the C-390 offers the higher payload, 26 tonnes against 22, per ThePrint.

Bids are due December 2, and contract finalisation is projected for late 2027, according to Lapaas Voice. The evaluation of the three contenders is the next milestone to watch.