Under the agreement, Lockheed Martin would provide Leonardo with technical assistance, equipment and training to strengthen C-130J support capabilities in Italy. The companies may also explore further business opportunities linked to C-130J maintenance and sustainment.
More than 570 C-130J aircraft have been delivered to operators in 27 countries worldwide. Lockheed Martin and Leonardo said 16 countries in Europe and the MENA region could be potential users of an Italian MRO facility.
An enhanced Italian support centre would provide original equipment manufacturer-certified and regularly updated services for C-130J fleets. The companies said this would improve planning, proximity to operators and aircraft readiness.
The service centre would also support efficiency and interoperability across NATO’s C-130J fleet in Europe. The proposal builds on a 20-year relationship between Lockheed Martin and Leonardo supporting the Italian Air Force’s Super Hercules aircraft.
Leonardo also brings experience from its role as original equipment manufacturer and MRO provider for the C-27J tactical airlifter. Many air forces operate the C-27J alongside the C-130J, using it for missions that require agility, short-field performance and rapid reconfiguration.
“As requirements evolve, so does the Super Hercules thanks to approved C-130 service centers that increase the readiness of fleets and create resiliency for the region and global community,” said Trish Pagan, vice president, Lockheed Martin Air Mobility and Maritime Missions. “Investment and teaming with Leonardo will create a better capability for Europe and an ability to expand services to other regions.”
“The decision to expand Leonardo footprint within the C-130J MRO market and to increase our level of responsibility, managing the C-130J fleet across such an important and diversified region, demonstrates the recognized quality of our MRO performance and we have all the necessary and proven capabilities to make sure customer satisfaction is met, and with the level of responsiveness users require,” said Tommaso Pani, SVP Marketing and Sales, Leonardo Aeronautics.
“We thank Lockheed Martin for their trust in Leonardo, and we look forward to starting activities for this new endeavor.” The agreement would deepen Leonardo’s role in the C-130J sustainment market while strengthening Italy’s position as a support hub for regional airlift fleets.
For Lockheed Martin, the move would expand its approved support structure for a widely used military transport aircraft. For Leonardo, it would extend an existing airlifter maintenance business into a broader regional sustainment role.
