Mahindra, Embraer to establish C-390 aircraft production ecosystem in India

Mahindra Group announced on Thursday that it is engaged in preparatory talks with Embraer to establish a production and support infrastructure for the C-390 Millennium military transport and aerial refuelling aircraft within India. The initiative forms part of the two companies' joint bid to supply the Indian Air Force's Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme.

As part of their development efforts, Mahindra and Embraer have partnered with the Maharashtra government and identified Nagpur as the location for a potential final assembly facility for C-390 Millennium aircraft production. The selection aligns with India's broader push to develop indigenous aerospace manufacturing capabilities.

The collaboration builds on a strategic cooperation agreement signed in October of the previous year, which superseded an initial framework established in February 2024. The partnership encompasses industrialisation planning, local manufacturing capabilities, assembly operations, supply chain development, and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services across the Indian market.

The C-390 Millennium is a modern military transport platform capable of conducting cargo operations and aerial refuelling missions, making it a candidate for the IAF's requirement to modernise its transport fleet. The Mahindra-Embraer collaboration reflects growing interest from international aerospace companies in establishing manufacturing footprints in India amid rising defence procurement demands.