Mahindra Group has announced that it is conducting preliminary negotiations with Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer to create an industrial and service ecosystem for the C-390 Millennium military transport and aerial refueling aircraft in India.
According to Mahindra Group's statement, both companies are jointly participating in the Indian Air Force's Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program. As part of the current preparations, Mahindra and Embraer are collaborating with the Government of Maharashtra and have identified Nagpur as a potential site for the final assembly line of the Embraer C-390 Millennium aircraft in India.
The strategic agreement between Embraer and Mahindra was concluded last October to jointly promote the C-390 Millennium for the Air Force's MTA program. This agreement was based on an earlier initial contract signed in February 2024. This partnership involves joint work on industrialization, local manufacturing, assembly, supply chain development, and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) activities in India.
Furthermore, in February 2026, the companies announced plans to establish MRO capabilities for the C-390 Millennium in India, contingent upon the selection of this aircraft under the MTA program. The proposed facility would support local assembly and industrialization of the aircraft in India if the Indian government selects the Embraer C-390 Millennium and places an order under the Air Force's MTA program.
The companies are closely engaging with the Government of Maharashtra to complete the necessary procedures, aiming to ensure the prompt development of the required industrial infrastructure should this partnership be awarded the program. Vinod Sahai, a member of the Mahindra Group Executive Council, stated that Mahindra aims to build a globally competitive aerospace ecosystem in India and create significant manufacturing and technological capabilities that will contribute to the nation's Atmanirbhar Bharat ambitions.
Sahai also noted that while working with Embraer on the C-390 Millennium, they are preparing the industrial ecosystem necessary to support the program on a large scale, and that Nagpur presents an attractive opportunity for such activities. He added that the Government of Maharashtra has 'expeditiously' provided land in Nagpur and is assisting with related matters.
The proposed facility in Nagpur will become a state-of-the-art enterprise in India, bringing experience in aircraft assembly, systems integration, production engineering, local supply chain development, and other areas to the country. If the program is awarded, the partnership intends to gradually integrate Indian aerospace companies into the C-390 Millennium ecosystem for production, after-sales service, training, and lifecycle support in line with the goals of India's 'Make in India' and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
Bosco da Costa ML, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, expressed satisfaction with the deepening partnership with Mahindra in preparation for implementing C-390 Millennium industrial capabilities in India. He emphasized that designating Nagpur as a potential site for the assembly plant is a crucial step in creating a robust long-term aerospace ecosystem in the country. Embraer highly values the support of the Government of Maharashtra and anticipates close collaboration with partners to strengthen India's domestic aerospace and defense capabilities, provided the C-390 Millennium is selected for the Indian Air Force program.
The C-390 Millennium is a multi-role military transport aircraft designed to perform a range of missions, including troop and cargo transport, airdrop operations, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian missions. The aircraft has a payload capacity of up to 26 tons and is designed to operate from temporary or unimproved runways.
