Embraer Defense & Security and Mahindra Group have entered into a Strategic Cooperation Agreement to advance the C-390 Millennium aircraft for India’s Medium Transport Aircraft programme, marking a significant step in Indo-Brazilian defense collaboration.
The agreement, signed alongside the inauguration of Embraer’s national office in Aerocity, New Delhi, expands upon a memorandum of understanding signed in February 2024. The partnership aims to establish India as a manufacturing and support hub for the C-390 Millennium, serving both domestic and regional markets.
Under the agreement, both companies will engage with India’s military and aerospace ecosystem to identify opportunities for local manufacturing, assembly facilities, supply chain development, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activities.
The collaboration aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which seeks to boost domestic manufacturing and reduce import dependence.
The C-390 Millennium is positioned as a modern military transport aircraft capable of carrying 26 tons of payload at speeds up to 470 knots. The aircraft can perform multiple missions including cargo and troop transport, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian operations. It can also operate from temporary or unpaved runways and be configured for air-to-air refueling.
Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, described the agreement as “a significant milestone” that reflects commitment to India’s self-reliance vision and strengthening ties between Brazil and India.
Vinod Sahay, Member of Group Executive Board at Mahindra Group, highlighted the aircraft’s capabilities and emphasized that the partnership would support India’s security requirements while advancing the Make in India initiative.
The C-390 Millennium has already been selected by air forces in eleven countries including Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, South Korea, Czech Republic, Sweden, Slovakia, Lithuania, and an undisclosed customer. The aircraft’s operational fleet has demonstrated a mission completion rate exceeding 99 percent.
Embraer, founded in 1969, has delivered over 9,000 aircraft and is a leading manufacturer of commercial jets with up to 150 seats. Mahindra Group, established in 1945, is a multinational conglomerate with over 324,000 employees across more than 100 countries, with leadership positions in farm equipment, utility vehicles, and information technology.