In a historic advancement for India’s defence aviation sector, Brazilian aerospace leader Embraer Defence & Security has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with India’s Mahindra Group. This collaboration seeks to jointly promote the C-390 Millennium multi-mission transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program.
The partnership signifies a pivotal step towards enhancing India’s airlift capabilities and deepening industrial collaboration between Brazil and India in the defence field. This new agreement is an extension of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) established in February 2024, which served as the groundwork for their cooperative efforts. The details outlined in the recent pact clarify each company’s responsibilities concerning the marketing, industrialization, and supply chain development for the C-390 program. Both Embraer and Mahindra are committed to engaging closely with India’s defence establishment to identify local partners for the production, assembly, and lifecycle maintenance of the aircraft.
Central to this collaboration is its emphasis on local manufacturing and sustainment infrastructure. The deal aims to empower India’s aerospace industry by incorporating both public and private sector entities into the C-390 production ecosystem, resonating with the government’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives.
Developed by Embraer, the C-390 Millennium is a next-generation, multi-role transport aircraft recognized for its efficiency, flexibility, and low maintenance needs. It boasts the capability to transport heavier payloads at higher speeds than its competitors and can be swiftly reconfigured for various missions, including troop and cargo transport, medical evacuation, disaster relief, and aerial refueling.
The aircraft features cutting-edge fly-by-wire controls and modern avionics, making it a formidable contender for replacing the IAF’s aging fleet of An-32 aircraft. Its versatility and sturdy design are well-suited for India’s diverse operational demands, whether in the challenging high-altitude terrain of the Himalayas or the hot, dusty plains.
The agreement also highlights Mahindra’s growing presence in global aerospace manufacturing. Notably, in August 2025, Airbus Helicopters awarded Mahindra Aerostructures a significant contract for the production and assembly of the main fuselage of the H125 helicopter, following a similar engagement for the H130 earlier that year. Such contracts have solidified Mahindra’s position as a reliable industrial partner for leading international aerospace manufacturers.
Mahindra Defence Systems, the defence arm of the conglomerate, has already established a strong foothold in land systems, producing armoured and mine-protected vehicles, as well as tactical support systems for the Indian Armed Forces. This foray into aerospace manufacturing aligns with Mahindra’s strategic vision to become a comprehensive provider of defence and aerospace solutions.
Defence analysts consider the Embraer-Mahindra partnership a landmark achievement that not only bolsters India’s air mobility capabilities but also promises long-term technology transfer, job creation, and increased indigenous production within the country.
