File photograph of Tata Group brand. The Group signed an MoU with U.S. defence main Lockheed Martin to begin production of fighter jets.
| Photo Credit: PTI
U.S. defence main Lockheed Martin and the Tata Group have reached an agreement to produce fighter wings on the their three way partnership, Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL), in Hyderabad.
“The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) envisions production of 29 fighter wing shipsets, with an option of additional shipsets, and deliveries commencing in 2025,” Lockheed mentioned in an announcement.
Lockheed Martin formally recognised TLMAL as a possible co-producer of fighter wings in October 2021 following TLMAL’s profitable production and qualification of a prototype fighter wing shipset, in accordance to the assertion.
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Through this prototype challenge, TLMAL was required to exhibit the potential to carry out detailed half manufacturing and supply of a totally compliant fuel-carrying 9-g, 12,000-hour, interchangeable/replaceable consultant fighter wing.
“That achievement further strengthened Lockheed Martin’s partnership with India; and supports its F-21 offering for procurement of 114 new fighter aircraft – exclusively for India and the Indian Air Force – by proving additional indigenous production capability,” the assertion mentioned.
“This MoU… further exemplifies Lockheed Martin’s commitment to a self-reliant India and the degree of confidence that exists in our relationships with our partners in India,” mentioned James Taiclet, chairman, president and CEO, Lockheed Martin.
Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics established TLMAL as a three way partnership in 2010 and serves as the only world supply of C-130J empennage assemblies which are put in on all new Super Hercules plane. To date, TLMAL has manufactured and delivered practically 200 C-130J empennages.
