Embraer reveals strategic partnership with Mahindra for Indian Air Force’s medium transport aircraft contest and with Adani for civilian regional aircraft, signalling a major push to establish manufacturing and support capabilities in India.
Embraer has said Mahindra Group will be its partner for the Indian Air Force’s medium transport aircraft contest, in which the Brazilian manufacturer is offering the C-390 Millennium, while Adani Defence & Aerospace will remain its partner for a separate civilian aircraft push in India. Speaking to ANI, Embraer Defence & Security chief executive Bosco da Costa Junior said the two tracks were distinct and would not be merged, adding that Mahindra was chosen after a detailed review of the market and potential industrial partners.
Da Costa also said Embraer and Adani are pursuing a different commercial aviation opportunity focused on regional connectivity. Adani has previously said the companies had entered a strategic partnership to develop, manufacture and sustain a regional transport aircraft ecosystem in India, while Embraer later said the two had signed a memorandum of understanding covering aircraft manufacturing, supply chains, aftermarket services and pilot training. Business Standard reported that the plan includes a final assembly line in India, underscoring the broader industrial ambition behind the tie-up.
On the military side, Embraer is pitching the C-390 as a replacement for the Indian Air Force’s ageing transport fleet, with the service seeking 60 aircraft and the option to add more later. Da Costa said the company was committed to meeting the programme timeline and argued that the twin-engine jet offers higher performance and availability than older transport aircraft. Embraer has also stressed that the aircraft is already in service with Brazil, Portugal and other air forces, and has highlighted reported fleet availability of 93% and mission accomplishment of 99%.
The company is also using the Indian contest to make a wider industrial case. Da Costa said Embraer wants India to become a hub for supply-chain expansion and maintenance, repair and overhaul work as it grows its global fleet. Embraer has said it already has around 70 C-390 orders worldwide, with recent additions from the United Arab Emirates and Colombia, and sees India as strategically important to future production and support operations.
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