Embraer Defense & Security and Mahindra Group have signed a landmark Strategic Cooperation Agreement (SCA) to advance the C-390 Millennium solution for the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme. This agreement was signed alongside the inauguration of Embraer’s national office in Aerocity, New Delhi.
The agreement builds upon the Memorandum of Understanding signed in February 2024 at the Embassy of Brazil in New Delhi, deepening the scope of cooperation to include joint marketing, industrialisation and developing India as a hub for the C-390 Millennium. Since the signing, the C-390 Millennium aircraft has further increased its operator base globally.
Embraer and Mahindra Group will work closely with stakeholders in the country and engage with India’s military and aerospace ecosystem to identify opportunities for local manufacturing, assembly facilities, supply chain and MRO activities. The long-term ambition is to position India as a manufacturing and support hub for the C-390 Millennium aircraft, serving both domestic and regional requirements.
This partnership unites Brazil’s world-class aerospace innovation with India’s manufacturing prowess and contributes to the strengthening of ties between the two nations while positioning India as a potential hub for the C-390 Millennium aircraft in the region.
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’ and the growing friendship between Brazil and India.”
Vinod Sahay, Member of Group Executive Board, Mahindra Group said: “The C-390 Millennium is unmatched in capability, efficiency, and versatility. By deepening our collaboration with Embraer, together we will ensure that the C-390 Millenium for the IAF’s MTA campaign will not only contribute 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 and can carry more payload (26 tons) compared to other medium-sized military transport aircraft and flies faster (470 knots) and farther. It can perform a wide range of missions including cargo and troop transport, airdrops, medical evacuation, search and rescue], firefighting, and humanitarian operations. It can operate from temporary or unpaved runways. The aircraft can also be configured for air-to-air refuelling, both as a tanker and as a receiver. The current fleet, in operation, has demonstrated a mission completion rate of more than 99%, highlighting exceptional productivity in its category.
Already selected by air forces in Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, South Korea, Czech Republic, Sweden, Slovakia, Lithuania and an undisclosed customer, the C-390 Millennium has the capability, versatility and performance to serve India’s strategic needs.
New Indian office opened
Embraer also inaugurated its new India office of its fully-owned Indian subsidiary at WorldMark 4, Aerocity, New Delhi. The event was graced by Brazil’s Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, Brazil’s Minister of Defense Jose Mucio, India’s Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu and the Ambassador of Brazil to India Kenneth Felix Haczynski da Nobrega. The opening of the office marks a significant deepening of Embraer’s long-standing commitment to India and sets the stage for an expanded role across all its business units — commercial aviation, defence, business aviation, services and support, and urban air mobility (UAM). The new office will serve as the central hub for Embraer’s operations in India, as it builds capacity to capitalise on opportunities within the country’s ever-evolving aerospace and defence industry. This includes growing its teams across corporate functions and specialised units focused on procurement, supply chain and engineering. Embraer’s strategic investment reflects its long-term vision to strengthen its presence in India, and to collaborate closely with the local industry to support the country’s mission of an Atmanirbhar Bharat and its Make in India initiatives.
Embraer’s history in India dates back 20 years, when the first E-Jets began operations in 2005, opening new frontiers in regional connectivity. The inauguration of the new corporate office represents a renewed and expanded commitment to the country. Today, nearly 50 Embraer aircraft across 11 different types operate in India, serving the Indian Air Force, other government agencies, business jet operators and a commercial airline – Star Air.
Francisco Gomes Neto, President & CEO of Embraer, said: “The opening of our New Delhi corporate office marks a bold new chapter for Embraer in India – a market central to our global vision. This office spans across all our business units and will strengthen collaboration with partners, customers, and suppliers. We are committed to bringing world-class technology and innovation to support India’s aerospace growth, advance self-reliance, and help realise its ambition of becoming a global aviation hub.”
Speaking at the office inauguration event, Bosco da Costa Junior, President & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security said: “Our office inauguration here in New Delhi reflects our ambition for further growth in the country. Our aircraft have earned a reputation for performance and reliability, and we are confident that our multi-mission medium transport aircraft, the C-390 Millennium, is perfectly suited to bring additional capabilities to the Indian Air Force.”
The inauguration also underscores the strengthening of relations between India and Brazil, with Embraer’s expansion in the region reflecting a shared commitment to deeper collaboration and mutual growth. Embraer’s increased presence will enable greater engagement with Indian stakeholders, customers and the broader aerospace supply chain.
Embraer’s activities in India span multiple sectors. In defense, the ERJ145 platform forms the basis of the Indian Air Force’s ‘Netra’ AEW&C aircraft, and the Legacy 600 aircraft is used for the transportation of government officials and VIPs by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Border Security Force (BSF). Furthermore, Embraer is positioning the C-390 Millennium as the best solution for the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program.
In commercial aviation, the E-Jets family continues to unlock ‘blue ocean’ opportunities in tier-two and tier-three cities, enhancing regional connectivity and supporting India’s ambitions to become a leading global aviation hub. Star Air is an all-Embraer operator of E175 and ERJ 145 aircraft and is growing its operations across India.
Eve Air Mobility, backed by Embraer, is actively expanding into India through strategic partnerships aimed at advancing urban air mobility. This includes working with JetSetGo to explore the deployment of its Urban Air Traffic Management software, Vector, that helps address congestion and supports sustainable travel. Separately, Eve partnered with Hunch Mobility to study the launch electric commuter flights in Bangalore that would establish the city as the region’s first hub for urban air mobility using eVTOLs.
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