Hyderabad [Telangana], August 24 (ANI): US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Monday visited Hyderabad's iconic Charminar and enjoyed a cup of tea, calling the historic monument a "magnificent symbol" of the city's rich history.
"Wonderful to visit Hyderabad's iconic Charminar, a magnificent symbol of the city's rich history!" Gor said in a post on X.
Wonderful to visit Hyderabad’s iconic Charminar, a magnificent symbol of the city’s rich history! pic.twitter.com/8Lrc30v6tR
— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) August 24, 2026
Gor is on a visit to Hyderabad, where he earlier visited the Lockheed Martin-Tata Advanced Systems facility and witnessed aerospace manufacturing operations firsthand.
He said that the partnership between the US' Lockheed Martin and Tata is making India a key link in the global C-130J production following his visit, highlighting the growing role of Indian industry in the global aerospace and defence supply chain.
"Fantastic visit to the Lockheed Martin-Tata facility in Hyderabad to see advanced aerospace manufacturing firsthand. Lockheed Martin's partnership with Tata is making India a critical link in the global C-130J production network, strengthening defence supply chains and advancing our strategic partnership," Gor said in an earlier post on X.
Following his arrival in Hyderabad, Gor had said, "Just landed in Hyderabad! Great to be back in this dynamic city!"
The Hyderabad facility is operated by Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL), a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Lockheed Martin Aeroframe Corporation, a subsidiary of US-based Lockheed Martin Corporation.
The joint venture was established to create high-quality aerospace manufacturing capabilities in India and primarily focuses on the production and integration of aerostructures for defence aircraft.
TLMAL is the global single-source supplier of empennages for the C-130J and LM-100J aircraft to Lockheed Martin. Its operations also include the manufacture of the centre wing box and other major aerostructures.
The partnership has expanded beyond component manufacturing, with Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems announcing a teaming agreement in September 2024 to explore additional C-130J opportunities in India.
Under the agreement, the companies are exploring the establishment of a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India to support the Indian Air Force's existing fleet of 12 C-130J aircraft as well as other global Super Hercules operators.
The companies are also exploring the expansion of C-130J manufacturing and assembly capabilities in India for the IAF's Medium Transport Aircraft programme, subject to necessary approvals.
The collaboration is also extending into aircraft maintenance, with Tata Advanced Systems developing a defence MRO facility near Bengaluru airport that is expected to become India's first private-sector defence MRO centre for the Lockheed Martin C-130J.
The Lockheed Martin-Tata partnership is also contributing to Telangana's growing aerospace and defence ecosystem. In April, Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Managing Director Tim Riffle met Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy in Hyderabad, where potential investments and the company's expanding operations in the state were discussed.
The developments underline the expanding role of Indian private-sector companies in global defence manufacturing and come amid efforts by New Delhi and Washington to deepen cooperation in aerospace, defence production and resilient supply chains. (ANI)
