Embraer and Mahindra Join Forces for India’s Medium Transport Aircraft Project

New Delhi, February 9, 2024 – Embraer Defense & Security and Mahindra have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at collaborating on the acquisition of the C-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft by the Indian Air Force as part of its forthcoming Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) procurement project. The MoU was formalized at the Embassy of Brazil in New Delhi.

“We are privileged to unveil this MoU with Mahindra. India boasts a robust and diverse defense and aerospace sector, and we have selected Mahindra as our partner to jointly pursue the MTA program,” stated Mr. Bosco da Costa Junior, President & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. “India holds significant importance for Embraer, and we are fully supportive of India’s vision for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat.’ This collaboration signifies the strengthening of ties between Brazil and India and underscores our commitment to fostering cooperation among nations of the Global South.”

Embraer and Mahindra will collaborate closely with the Indian Air Force to delineate the subsequent stages of the MTA program, as well as engage with the indigenous aerospace industry in India to initiate the industrialization blueprint for the project.

Mr. Vinod Sahay, President of the Aerospace & Defence Sector and Member of the Group Executive Board at Mahindra, remarked, “We take great pride in commencing this partnership with Embraer, a company renowned for its engineering prowess and an exceptional array of aircraft and systems. The C-390 Millennium stands out as the most advanced military airlifter available, and we are confident that this collaboration will not only enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force but also deliver an efficient industrialization solution that seamlessly aligns with the Make in India initiative.”

The MoU was inked by Embraer Defense & Security and Mahindra Defence Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mahindra, focusing on armored transport and security-related products, including electronics.

Embraer has established a strong presence in India across defense, commercial aviation, and executive aviation sectors. In August 2023, Embraer organized a C-390 Millennium Day in New Delhi, India, to deepen its engagement with the local aerospace industry, attracting significant participation from the Indian ecosystem.

The C-390 Millennium multi-mission tactical transport aircraft offers unparalleled mobility, blending high productivity and operational flexibility with low operating costs, making it an unrivaled choice.

Since its introduction into service with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019 and more recently with the Portuguese Air Force in 2023, the C-390 has demonstrated its capability, reliability, and performance. The current fleet of operational aircraft has accumulated over 11,500 flight hours, achieving an operational availability of approximately 80% and mission completion rates exceeding 99%, showcasing exceptional productivity in its class. The C-390 Millennium attained Full Operational Capability status by the Brazilian Air Force in 2023, underscoring its ability to execute all designated missions.

To date, the C-390 Millennium has been chosen by Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, and most recently, South Korea.