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Brazilian aerospace company Embraer has awarded its first forged raw material supply contract in India to Bharat Forge Limited, marking a new step in the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer’s efforts to widen its global sourcing network.
The agreement will see Bharat Forge supply forged raw materials for Embraer’s aerospace programmes. This is important as for the first time it brings an Indian supplier into Embraer’s global supply chain for the first time in this segment.
The partnership comes as the South American company continues to expand its engagement with India’s aerospace and defence sector through industry partnerships, supplier development and discussions linked to future aviation programmes.
The company has been actively exploring opportunities to integrate Indian suppliers into its worldwide production network while supporting long-term aerospace capability development in the country.
Roberto Chaves, Executive Vice President of Global Procurement and Supply Chain at Embraer, said India represents a major opportunity within the company’s supply chain diversification plans.
“This contract supports our objective of building a more resilient and competitive supply chain while reinforcing our commitment to the growth of India’s aerospace industry,” he said.
For Bharat Forge, the agreement strengthens its position in the global aerospace manufacturing sector and underlines its expanding capabilities in precision engineering and advanced forging technologies.
Amit B. Kalyani, Vice Chairman and Joint Managing Director of Bharat Forge Limited, described the partnership as a significant achievement for the company.
“Being selected as Embraer’s first Indian supplier of forged components is a proud milestone for Bharat Forge and reflects the capabilities we have developed in the aerospace sector. We look forward to expanding this relationship further in the years ahead,” he said.
He added that the contract would help the company scale up production of critical structural aerospace components while complementing its existing aeroengine component business.
Embraer Expands India Focus amid MTA Competition
The supplier agreement comes at a time when Embraer is also consolidating its strategic engagement with India in defence aviation, particularly around the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme.
Recent discussions between Embraer and Mahindra Group in Brazil have added momentum to the company’s campaign to offer the C-390 Millennium transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force.
India is expected to procure around 60 medium transport aircraft to replace its ageing fleets of Antonov An-32 and Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft. The Indian Air Force is expected to issue a formal Request for Proposal later this year. Competing platforms are likely to include Embraer’s C-390 Millennium, Airbus Defence and Space’s A400M Atlas, Lockheed Martin’s C-130J Super Hercules, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ C-2 transport aircraft.
Embraer has proposed establishing maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) infrastructure in India for the C-390 fleet, aligning with the government’s “Make in India” initiative and broader defence indigenisation goals.
UAE Order Strengthens C-390 Momentum
Embraer’s growing international defence profile was further reinforced recently after the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement awarded the company a contract involving 10 firm orders and 10 options for the C-390 Millennium aircraft.
The agreement represents the largest international order for the C-390 from a single country and marks the aircraft’s first major success in the Middle East.
The UAE selected the aircraft following an extensive operational evaluation process. Alongside the acquisition, Embraer will work with a national Emirati company to develop local maintenance and after-sales support capabilities for the fleet.
Team BharatShakti
