Derco Aerospace, NIPPI Corporation Strengthen Partnership with New Sustainment Agreement

Derco, a Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] subsidiary with 45 years of sustainment expertise, and NIPPI Corporation, Japan’s leading defense and aerospace manufacturing company, announced a partnership providing comprehensive logistics and technical support for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s C-130 Hercules fleet.

“Derco has a long history of collaboration with NIPPI that began with our joint support of the C-130R fleet operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force,” said Kathy Medalle, Derco’s president and general manager. “Our continued partnership is a testament to Derco’s understanding of strategically tailored, industry-best sustainment solutions that directly serve our customer’s needs, and we are grateful to strengthen our alliance with NIPPI in support of JASDF's C-130H aircraft.”

The performance-based logistics agreement between NIPPI and Derco provides JASDF's 16 C-130H aircraft with critical resources and materials including demand forecasting, data analytics, technical support, and coverage of over 5,700 spare parts and components. The comprehensive program enables efficient maintenance, timely issue resolution, and seamless communication to enhance aircraft readiness and operational effectiveness.

“NIPPI is honored to have signed a sustainment agreement with Derco for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's C-130H aircraft,” said Kenya Takaha, NIPPI president and CEO. “NIPPI is also proud to be able to contribute to the improvement of the C-130H fleet's readiness by leveraging the experience we have cultivated in integrated logistics support through our ongoing sustainment agreement for the JMSDF's C-130R aircraft and our continued partnership with Lockheed Martin and Derco.”

JASDF’s C-130H fleet is a significant asset within their array of air transport capabilities, providing tactical expertise for a variety of airlift missions including humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and military readiness. The reliable sustainment solutions and logistical resources available through NIPPI and Derco’s latest partnership will ensure JASDF has the necessary materials and technical support to maintain these regionally vital operations.

The ongoing partnership between NIPPI and Derco underscores the collaborative momentum between Japan and the US, driven in part by a longstanding alliance with Derco’s parent company, Lockheed Martin, a global leader in aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technologies.

"As a trusted partner to Japan, with a view to regional security in the Indo-Pacific, Lockheed Martin is proud to see Derco and NIPPI advancing 21st century security by building on their success in delivering value-driven sustainment and logistics solutions for Japan's most vital platforms, like the C-130R and C-130H aircraft," said Todd Morar, vice president of Air & Commercial Solutions within Lockheed Martin’s Rotary and Mission Systems business. "We are confident that this collective expertise and commitment to partnership will yield long-term benefits by enhancing the readiness and operational ease of Japan's air and maritime fleets for years to come."

Lockheed Martin has been present in Japan for over 70 years. Their strategic partnership and presence in country is underscored by the security alliance between Japan and the United States, which has been a cornerstone of peace in the Indo-Pacific region. Today, Japan is a major customer and operator of Lockheed Martin systems including C-130s, PAC-3, and SPY-7, and is currently the largest international customer of Aegis equipped ships and the F-35 Lightning II.