Embraer and Mahindra Partner to Offer C-390 Millennium for Indian Air Force's Medium Transport Program

In a significant advancement for India's defense aviation sector, Embraer Defence & Security of Brazil and India's Mahindra Group have entered into a strategic cooperation agreement. This collaboration aims to jointly offer the C-390 Millennium multi-mission transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force's Medium Transport Aircraft program.

The partnership represents a substantial move towards enhancing India's airlift capabilities while fostering deeper industrial ties between Brazil and India in the defense sphere.

The agreement builds upon a Memorandum of Understanding signed in February 2024, which set the groundwork for this collaboration. Under the new agreement, both companies have outlined specific roles in marketing, industrialization, and supply chain development for the C-390 program. They will collaborate closely with India's defense establishment to identify local partners for the aircraft's production, assembly, and lifecycle maintenance.

A key aspect of this partnership is its emphasis on local manufacturing and sustainment infrastructure. The initiative aims to bolster India's aerospace industry by involving public and private sector companies in the C-390 production ecosystem, aligning with the government's 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives.

Embraer's C-390 Millennium is a next-generation, multi-role transport aircraft noted for its efficiency, flexibility, and low maintenance needs. It outclasses its competitors with the ability to carry heavier payloads at higher speeds and can be swiftly adapted for a range of missions, including troop and cargo transport, medical evacuation, disaster relief, and aerial refueling.

Equipped with advanced fly-by-wire controls and modern avionics, the C-390 is considered a strong candidate to replace the Indian Air Force's aging An-32 fleet. Its versatility and robust design are well-suited to India's diverse operational needs, from high-altitude Himalayan bases to the hot and dusty conditions of the plains.

This agreement also highlights Mahindra's expanding role in global aerospace manufacturing. In August 2025, Mahindra Aerostructures secured a major contract from Airbus Helicopters to produce and assemble the main fuselage of the H125 helicopter, following a similar contract for the H130 earlier this year. These developments have established Mahindra as a reliable industrial partner for leading global aerospace manufacturers.

Through Mahindra Defence Systems, the company has already made a significant impact in land systems, producing armored and mine-protected vehicles, as well as tactical support systems for the Indian Armed Forces. Venturing into aerospace manufacturing marks the company's strategic expansion into being a comprehensive defense and aerospace solutions provider.

Defense analysts regard the Embraer-Mahindra partnership as a pivotal development that not only enhances India's air mobility capabilities but also supports long-term technology transfer, job creation, and domestic production.