The alliance will explore manufacturing, assembly, supply chain and MRO opportunities to position India as a regional hub for the C-390 Millennium.
In a strategic boost to India’s aerospace manufacturing ambitions, Brazilian aerospace major Embraer Defense & Security and Mahindra Group have signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement (SCA) to advance the C-390 Millennium aircraft for the Indian Air Force’s medium transport aircraft (MTA) programme.
The SCA builds on a memorandum of understanding signed in February 2024 at the Embassy of Brazil in New Delhi, expanding the scope of collaboration to include joint marketing, industrialisation, and positioning India as a manufacturing and support hub for the C-390 Millennium. Since the MoU, the aircraft has further expanded its global operator base.
Embraer and Mahindra will work closely with stakeholders across India’s military and aerospace ecosystem to identify opportunities for local manufacturing, assembly, supply chain partnerships, and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) activities. The long-term ambition is to establish India as a regional centre for the C-390 Millennium, serving both domestic and export markets.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Bosco da Costa Junior, President & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, said, “The agreement is a significant milestone in our relationship with Mahindra Group. India’s aerospace industry is dynamic and world-class, and together we aim to deliver the most advanced and reliable military transport solution to the Indian Air Force. This partnership is more than an aerospace deal—it reflects our commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat [programme] and the growing friendship between Brazil and India.”
The C-390 Millennium has already been selected by 11 air forces globally, including Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, South Korea, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Slovakia, Lithuania, and one undisclosed customer.
The agreement was formalised alongside the inauguration of Embraer’s national office at Aerocity, New Delhi. The new facility will serve as the central hub for the company’s India operations as it scales capacity to tap into opportunities across the country’s evolving aerospace and defence sectors. This includes expanding teams across corporate functions and specialised units focused on procurement, supply chain, and engineering.
India’s Third Aircraft Assembly Line
The agreement makes Embraer the third major aircraft manufacturer to announce a production line in India, following Boeing and Airbus. In 2023, Airbus launched its final assembly line for the C295 military transport aircraft in Vadodara, Gujarat.
Vinod Sahay, Member of the Group Executive Board, Mahindra Group, said, “The C-390 Millennium is unmatched in capability, efficiency, and versatility. By deepening our collaboration with Embraer, we will ensure that the aircraft not only contributes to India’s security and aspirations but also supports the Make in India philosophy and further self-reliance.”
The C-390 Millennium is the most modern military transport aircraft in its class. It can carry a 26-tonne payload—higher than other medium-sized transport aircraft—and flies faster at 470 knots. It supports a wide range of missions, including cargo and troop transport, airdrops, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian operations.
The aircraft can operate from temporary or unpaved runways and can be configured for air-to-air refuelling, both as a tanker and receiver. The current fleet has demonstrated a mission completion rate of over 99 per cent, underscoring its reliability and operational productivity.