Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer has offered to set up a full-scale assembly line for its C-390 Millennium transport aircraft in India if selected under the Indian Air Force's Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme. This initiative could significantly enhance India's role in the global military aviation supply chain.
Embraer's Proposal
Speaking to FlightGlobal, Embraer Defence & Security chief marketing officer Marcio Monteiro stated the company is ready to transfer substantial manufacturing capabilities to India. "We are willing to transfer everything, as much as possible," Monteiro said. "We are also talking to our supply chain, checking with them what can be transferred to India, given the size of the potential order."
The proposal comes as the Indian Air Force moves to replace its ageing fleet of Soviet-origin AN-32 transport aircraft, a critical tactical airlift platform.
Partnership with Mahindra
Embraer has partnered with Mahindra to strengthen its bid. CEO Francisco Gomes Neto said, "We are working very hard with Mahindra in India to be ready for this bid." Monteiro added that the proposed Indian facility would at least mirror Embraer's production complex in Gavião Peixoto, Brazil, where structural assembly and final assembly of the C-390 occur. Depending on localisation requirements, facilities for manufacturing major structural components could also be established, increasing indigenous content.
Export Potential
Beyond domestic production, Embraer suggested that an Indian assembly line could eventually manufacture aircraft for export markets, integrating Indian industry into the global C-390 supply chain and positioning India as a regional production hub. This aligns with New Delhi's Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
IAF Requirement for MTA
The C-390 Millennium is a leading contender in the IAF's MTA competition to replace the AN-32 fleet. Competing platforms include the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules and the Airbus A400M Atlas. The competition is a key air mobility acquisition, with the selected aircraft likely serving for decades.
Why C-390 Fits India's Needs
Embraer argues the C-390 offers speed, payload, and operational flexibility suitable for India's diverse geography. Powered by jet engines, it cruises at about 870 km/h, faster than the AN-32 and C-130J. This speed allows rapid movement of troops and equipment during emergencies. The aircraft can operate from semi-prepared, damaged, and soft-field runways, thanks to reinforced landing gear and low-pressure tyres. This capability enables operations from advanced landing grounds in the Northeast, forward locations in Ladakh, and remote island airstrips across the Indian Ocean region, crucial for reinforcing the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Comparison with Rivals
The Airbus A400M offers greater payload (37 tonnes) and strategic capabilities but is larger and costlier. The C-130J has an established record with the IAF. Embraer positions the C-390 between these, offering more speed and payload than the C-130J while avoiding higher costs of the A400M, making it attractive for India's medium transport requirement.
