Lockheed Martin is making a strong pitch for India’s **Medium Transport Aircraft programme**, offering the **C-130J-30 Super Hercules** to the IAF.
 **22-tonne payload:** Lockheed Martin says the C-130J-30 operated by the IAF can carry around **22 tonnes**, with its stretched fuselage providing greater cargo volume. 
 **India’s existing experience:** The IAF already operates **12 C-130J-30s**, giving India an established ecosystem of pilots, maintenance personnel and infrastructure. 
 **MTA requirement:** India’s programme is aimed at replacing ageing **An-32 and Il-76 fleets**. The current tender involves **60 aircraft**, with **12 to be supplied directly and 48 manufactured in India**, according to industry reporting. 
 **Make in India:** Lockheed Martin and **Tata Advanced Systems** have already agreed to explore C-130J manufacturing and assembly in India if the company wins the MTA contract. 
 **High-altitude operations:** The C-130J-30 has already demonstrated its ability to operate from challenging locations, including **Daulat Beg Oldi in Ladakh**.