Mahindra, Embraer Partner to Bring C-390 Millennium Transport Aircraft to India

Mumbai-based Mahindra Group on Friday announced that it has signed a pact with Brazil’s Embraer Defense & Security to bring the advanced military transport aircraft, the C‑390 Millennium, to India. The collaboration will focus on the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme. 

The two companies executed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement (SCA) which builds upon an earlier memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in February 2024.

Under this new agreement, the scope is expanded to include joint marketing, industrialisation, and the ambition to develop India as a regional hub for the C-390 Millennium aircraft. 

Key Elements of the Agreement

Marketing, Manufacturing & Support

Under the agreement, Embraer and Mahindra will collaborate closely with India’s defence and aerospace ecosystem. This includes engaging with the Indian Air Force as well as local industry to identify opportunities for:

• Local manufacturing and assembly of the C-390 aircraft.

• Supply-chain development and local industrialisation of components.

• Maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) activities in India.

The long-term objective is to position India not only as a customer for the C-390, but as a manufacturing and support hub for regional requirements. 

Strategic Significance for “Make in India”

Vinod Sahay, Member of the Group Executive Board at Mahindra Group, commented that:

“By deepening our collaboration with Embraer, together we will ensure that the C-390 Millennium for the IAF’s MTA campaign will not only contribute to India’s security and aspirations but also support the ‘Make in India’ philosophy and further self-reliance.”

This aligns the partnership with the Indian Government’s goal of promoting domestic manufacturing and reducing dependence on imports. 

The C-390 Millennium – A Strong Contender

The C-390 Millennium has already been selected by several air forces globally — including Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, South Korea and an undisclosed customer.

Embraer’s President & CEO Bosco da Costa Junior added:

“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 underscores the belief that the C-390 meets India’s strategic needs for an advanced medium transport aircraft. 

Context & Broader Defence Implications

Building on Earlier Engagements

This new SCA builds on the MoU signed between Embraer and Mahindra in February 2024, which aimed to jointly position the C-390 for India’s MTA programme. 

In September 2024, Embraer proposed setting up an assembly line for the C-390 in India as part of the partnership, reinforcing the manufacturing-hub vision.

Strategic and Industrial Dimensions

The collaboration reflects the growing defence-industrial cooperation between Brazil and India, as well as India’s push to become a regional aerospace manufacturing hub. Embraer has noted India, Saudi Arabia and the EU as strategic markets for its defence division. 

For the Indian Air Force, this move is a bid to modernise its medium transport fleet by acquiring advanced aircraft capable of multiple mission profiles, from cargo and troop transport to humanitarian aid and aerial firefighting. 

Conclusion

The Mahindra-Embraer partnership marks a significant development in India’s defence manufacturing landscape. By offering the C-390 Millennium and concurrently planning local production, assembly and support infrastructure, the alliance advances both India’s military capability and its industrial base.

If successful, this collaboration could not only strengthen the Indian Air Force’s medium transport capacity but also position India as a manufacturing export hub for the aircraft, reinforcing the “Make in India” vision. As global demand for advanced military transport rises, the C-390-Mahindra axis could become a model for future defence-industry partnerships.