Embraer and India’s Mahindra Group have announced a strategic alliance to promote the C-390 Millennium transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program, with a plan to localize production, supply chain, and support operations across India.
The partnership, unveiled on October 17, 2025, coincides with the inauguration of Embraer’s new office in New Delhi.
“We are committed to bringing advanced aerospace capabilities to India and developing a strong local supply chain for the C-390,” the companies said in a joint statement.
Both companies claim that the alliance will engage India’s defense and aerospace ecosystem to define an industrial workshare, including assembly and MRO capability, aligning with the country’s ‘Make in India’ policy and long-term self-reliance objectives.
India has already demonstrated its commitment to domestic aircraft manufacturing through the Tata-Airbus C-295 program, under which 40 of the 56 ordered aircraft are being built in Gujarat. Local assembly began in 2025, with deliveries set to start in 2026.
C-390 momentum builds up
The announcement comes as the C-390 continues to gain momentum among European operators. In October 2025, Sweden joined the trilateral framework with the Netherlands and Austria to acquire four C-390 Millennium aircraft, with options for up to seven more.
The C-390 is already in service with Brazil, Portugal and Hungary. The aircraft offers a 26-tonne payload, rapid reconfiguration capability, and operation from short or semi-prepared runways, positioning it between lighter tactical airlifters and larger strategic transports.
