In a significant move aligned with India’s self-reliance goals, Embraer Defense & Security and the Mahindra Group have signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement (SCA). This pact formalizes their partnership to offer the C-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft for the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) requirement.
The agreement, signed alongside the inauguration of Embraer’s new national office in New Delhi, expands upon a Memorandum of Understanding from February 2024. It commits both companies to joint marketing and, critically, to exploring comprehensive industrial cooperation within India. This includes evaluating local manufacturing, final assembly, supply chain development, and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) activities for the C-390.
The long-term ambition is to establish India as a strategic hub for the C-390 Millennium, catering to both India’s defense needs and potential regional demand. This partnership aims to blend Embraer’s aerospace innovation with India’s industrial manufacturing capabilities.
“This agreement is a significant milestone,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, President & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. “Together we aim to deliver the most advanced military transport solution to the Indian Air Force, reflecting our commitment to ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and the growing friendship between Brazil and India.”
Vinod Sahay of the Mahindra Group emphasized the aircraft’s strengths: “The C-390 Millennium is unmatched in capability, efficiency, and versatility. Our collaboration will ensure the C-390 for the IAF supports the ‘Make in India’ philosophy and furthers national self-reliance.”
The C-390 Millennium is a modern tactical transport aircraft capable of carrying up to 26 tons of payload at high speed. It is designed for a wide spectrum of missions, including cargo and troop transport, aerial delivery, medical evacuation, and humanitarian aid. Notably, it can operate from rough or semi-prepared airstrips and boasts a proven mission completion rate exceeding 99%.
Already selected by multiple nations, including Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, and South Korea, the C-390 is positioned as a leading contender for India’s MTA programme, promising to enhance the IAF’s operational reach and versatility.
