Tata eyes IAF's Medium Transport Aircraft contract, to set up MRO

New Delhi: Placing itself for an upcoming multi billion dollar contract to supply Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) to the Indian Air Force, Tata has initiated work on setting up a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Bengaluru, which will localize service and repairs of the C 130J transport fleet.

Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) is already the sole global supplier to US aviation giant Lockheed Martin for C-130 empennages and other aerostructure assemblies. The new facility is likely to be completed by 2026 and expects to receive the first C 130 J by early 2027.

"The MRO venture strengthens our aerospace ecosystem, creating a foundation for innovation, skill development, and global competitiveness," said TASL CEO Sukaran Singh. The company is already manufacturing the C 295 transport aircraft for the air force in partnership with Airbus and is placing itself as a leading contender for the upcoming MTA project, in partnership with Lockheed Martin.


The air force is yet to fully firm up its requirements, but it will need close to 80 medium aircraft to replace the ageing AN 32 fleet. There has been significant global interest in the competition, with aviation giants like Airbus, Lockheed Martin and Embraer likely to compete, in partnership with Indian companies. Embraer has already announced a partnership with Mahindra while Airbus has not yet disclosed its partner for the mega program.