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Brazilian aerospace major Embraer Defence & Security and India’s Mahindra Group have signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement (SCA) to jointly offer the C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme.
The signing coincides with the inauguration of Embraer’s new Indian headquarters at Aerocity, New Delhi, underscoring the company’s deepening commitment to India across defence, civil aviation, and emerging domains such as urban air mobility (UAM).
The inauguration ceremony was graced by senior dignitaries, including Brazil’s Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, Minister of Defence José Mucio, India’s Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, and Brazil’s Ambassador to India Kenneth Felix Haczynski da Nobrega.
The agreement between Embraer and Mahindra aims to establish India as a key hub for manufacturing, assembly, maintenance, and support for the C-390 Millennium, reinforcing the country’s ambitions under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives, companies stressed. The aircraft, already in use or on order by over ten air forces globally, is being positioned as a modern, multi-mission solution for India’s growing strategic and humanitarian needs.
The C-390 offers superior performance in its class, including a 26-ton payload capacity, 470-knot cruising speed, and versatility across missions such as troop transport, medical evacuation, firefighting, air-to-air refuelling, and humanitarian aid.
“The agreement marks a pivotal step in our partnership with Mahindra and reaffirms our dedication to India’s defence modernisation goals,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, President & CEO of Embraer Defence & Security. “The C-390 Millennium brings proven capabilities and, with Mahindra, we aim to deliver a solution that aligns with India’s self-reliance vision.”
Vinod Sahay, Member of Mahindra Group’s Executive Board, echoed the sentiment: “Our collaboration ensures the C-390 Millennium not only meets the Indian Air Force’s operational requirements but also strengthens India’s aerospace ecosystem through localised production and support.”
The dual developments —the new office and the strategic agreement—are also geopolitically significant, as they occur during the Vice President of Brazil’s visit to India and ahead of an expected visit by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in February 2026. These high-level engagements are part of a broader push to deepen bilateral economic, technological, and defence cooperation.
Deepening Footprint in India
The new Embraer India office will serve as a central hub for all of the company’s business units, defence, commercial aviation, executive jets, services & support, and UAM. The move reflects a long-term strategic vision to embed more deeply within India’s fast-growing aerospace sector and to work closely with Indian industry partners across procurement, engineering, and supply chain development.
“India is central to Embraer’s global vision,” said Francisco Gomes Neto, President & CEO of Embraer. “Our new office in New Delhi will strengthen collaboration across the board and support India’s ambition of becoming a global aviation hub.”
The Brazilian company has maintained a presence in India for over two decades, with its aircraft serving the Indian Air Force, the Border Security Force (BSF), and commercial operators such as Star Air. The ERJ145 serves as the platform for India’s ‘Netra’ Airborne Early Warning & Control System (AEW&C), and the Legacy 600 is in use for VIP transport.
In the civil aviation space, Embraer’s E-Jets continue to play a key role in enhancing regional connectivity across tier-two and tier-three cities, aligning with India’s UDAN scheme and efforts to decentralise air access.
Venturing into Urban Air Mobility
In parallel, Embraer-backed Eve Air Mobility is exploring eVTOL solutions in India through strategic partnerships. Collaborations with JetSetGo and Hunch Mobility aim to introduce electric commuter flights and Urban Air Traffic Management (UATM) solutions, starting with pilot programs in Bengaluru, potentially making it South Asia’s first urban air mobility hub.
Embraer is also expected to participate in upcoming Indian defence tenders, including for AEW&C platforms, possibly building upon the proven ERJ145 airframe. With strong momentum in both military and civil sectors, the company is positioning itself not just as an equipment supplier but as a long-term, value-added partner in India’s aerospace journey.
Huma Siddiqui
