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Brazilian aerospace leader Embraer is betting big on India—not just to sell, but to co-production. At the heart of this vision lies a pivotal defence opportunity: the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program.
In an exclusive interview with BharatShakti, Francisco Gomes Neto, President & CEO of Embraer Group, said that winning the MTA program with its KC-390 Millennium aircraft would go far beyond delivery contracts. It would act as the cornerstone for a sweeping industrial partnership with India.
“For MTA, we’re ready to go beyond assembly. We’re talking about setting up local production lines, sourcing parts from Indian suppliers, and building an aerospace ecosystem here that serves not just India but the world,” Gomes Neto said in New Delhi.
MTA: A Strategic Defence Gateway
Embraer’s KC-390 Millennium, already operational in Brazil and several allied nations, is being pitched as the ideal solution for India’s medium transport needs. But Gomes Neto insists the real value lies in what comes next.
The company has committed to:
- Establishing local assembly lines in India: The company is dedicated to enhancing its presence in India by establishing local assembly lines that will not only boost production efficiency but also contribute to job creation in the region.
- Creating defence-industrial capabilities with export potential: By focusing on the development of defence-industrial capabilities with significant export potential, the company aims to position itself as a key player in the global market.
- Integrating Indian vendors into its extensive global supply chain underscores its commitment to fostering local partnerships and driving economic growth.
- Enabling technology transfer and skill development: Additionally, the initiative to facilitate technology transfer and skill development will empower the local workforce, ensuring sustainable growth and innovation within the industry.
“This is not an offset conversation. It’s a full-fledged industrial partnership,” he emphasized.
Building an Indian Aerospace Hub: Civil Aviation, MRO & Regional Jets
The defence commitment naturally ties into Embraer’s expanding civil aviation footprint in India. With nearly 50 aircraft already operating in India across commercial, defence, and executive roles, Embraer is deepening its presence through a new wholly owned subsidiary in Delhi’s AeroCity.
This unit will house functions such as engineering, procurement, and strategic sourcing and will expand based on regional aviation wins.
“India has similar dynamics to Brazil. In the U.S., nearly 1,000 of our regional jets connect smaller cities. We believe India can absorb 300–500 jets over the next decade,” said Gomes.
The company sees strong alignment with the Government of India’s UDAN scheme and ‘Make in India’ initiative.
eVTOL: Urban Air Mobility with India as a Hub
Beyond conventional aircraft, Embraer is laying the groundwork to introduce eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft in India via its subsidiary, Eve Air Mobility.
With India’s urban congestion and dense metro regions mirroring São Paulo, Gomes sees a dual role for India—as a market and a modular assembly hub.
“We’ll ship components from Brazil, and India could become a site for final assembly and testing—especially if demand rises,” he said.
Partnerships like Blade India are already exploring this frontier, with Eve’s first aircraft expected to enter service by 2027.
India in Embraer’s Global Supply Chain
A successful defence partnership would also unlock India’s integration into Embraer’s global sourcing network, joining established suppliers from the U.S., Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region.
“Our products are global by design. We want Indian suppliers to be part of that global story—not just for Indian orders, but for our entire portfolio,” Gomes stressed.
A BRICS-Aligned Vision: South-South Industrial Collaboration
Framing the India strategy in broader geopolitical terms, Gomes highlighted the strategic alignment between Brazil and India—two leading voices of the Global South and active members of BRICS.
“Through BRICS, we’re already discussing ways to collaborate deeper—not just in trade, but in co-developing technologies, building human capital, and addressing shared development goals,” he said.
With Brazil currently presiding over BRICS, Gomes noted the momentum for tangible industrial cooperation was stronger than ever.
The Big Picture: From MTA to Multi-Sector Engagement
For Embraer, India represents much more than an emerging market—it’s an industrial partner of the future. Defence, civil aviation, urban air mobility, and global sourcing are all interconnected strands of a strategy rooted in trust, capability, and co-development.
“We are here with an open kimono,” Gomes concluded. “We want to learn, teach, co-create—and build a future together.”
Huma Siddiqui
