US envoy highlights India’s role in C-130J production network
HYDERABAD: US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Monday said the production of critical C-130J military transport aircraft structures in India reflected growing defence and industrial cooperation between the US and India, as reported by DC.
Gor made the remarks during a visit to the Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Ltd (TLMAL) facility in Hyderabad. He toured the production line for C-130J Super Hercules empennages.
“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 United States and India,” Gor said.
He added that such partnerships support high-skilled jobs, strengthen supply chains and advance the shared vision of a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific.
Tata-Lockheed Martin venture eyes IAF transport programme
Gor said the Tata-Lockheed Martin partnership was making India a key link in the global C-130J production network.
“Lockheed Martin’s partnership with Tata is making India a critical link in the global C-130J production network,” he said. “It is strengthening defence supply chains and advancing our strategic partnership.”
The Tata-Lockheed Martin joint venture is also pursuing the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft requirement.
The C-130J is among the aircraft being considered for the programme. Other contenders include Embraer Defence and Security’s C-390 Millennium and Airbus Defence and Space’s A-400M.
The IAF already operates C-130J aircraft.
Gor’s comments on the Indo-Pacific come amid growing strategic competition in the region and concerns over China’s expanding military capabilities.
US-India trade target discussed
Separately, Gor met Telangana Industries Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu and US Consul General in Hyderabad Laura Williams at a dinner meeting.
Gor highlighted “Mission 500”, the shared goal of taking bilateral trade between the US and India to $500 billion by 2030.
He said business partnerships and individual deals would be important to achieving the target.
The dinner was held as part of events marking 250 years of US independence. Business leaders from defence manufacturing, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and technology attended the meeting.
Gor said US-India ties had expanded beyond strategic cooperation. Businesses are now working together across defence, technology, life sciences and space.
Williams highlighted the growing role of southern India, particularly Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, in the bilateral relationship.
She also pointed to increasing cooperation in technology, data and critical minerals across the three states.
Gor urged businesses to explore initiatives such as the TRUST Initiative, Pax Silica, the US-India COMPACT and the US-India Strategic Mineral Recovery Initiative.
He said these initiatives could create opportunities for investment, supply-chain partnerships and market expansion.
The discussions also focused on expanding market access and increasing defence industrial co-production between the two countries.
