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Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures, a Tata Advanced Systems and Lockheed Martin Corporation JV, delivered the first made-in-India centre wing box, a vital section of an aircraft connecting the wings to fuselage, for the latter’s Hercules C-130 military aircraft, from its Hyderabad facility on Friday.

Buoyed by the response to its C-130s from the Indian Air Force, the company is expecting more orders from the central government, according to George Shultz, vice-president and general manager (C-130 programmes), Lockheed Martin.

The joint venture facility, which broke ground in February 2011, is export-oriented and the products manufactured form the overall aircraft structure that Lockheed Martin will integrate and complete for its global C-130 aircraft customers.

“Besides India, 15 other countries have placed order for C-130s, and these could have parts made in India at Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures,” said George.