Embraer and Mahindra Target Nagpur for C-390 Assembly Line
Embraer and Mahindra have proposed Nagpur as the site for a C-390 assembly line, enhancing India's aerospace capabilities.
Nagpur selected for C-390 Millennium assembly line by Embraer and Mahindra.
The initiative supports India's 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' programs.
The C-390 competes in the IAF's Medium Transport Aircraft procurement against global giants.
In a significant development for India's aerospace sector, Embraer Defense & Security from Brazil and India's Mahindra Group have announced Nagpur, Maharashtra, as a potential location for establishing a Final Assembly Line (FAL) for the C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft. This initiative is part of their collaborative effort to secure a contract under the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program, which aims to modernize India's transport capabilities.
The partnership has garnered support from the Maharashtra Government, which has proactively allocated land in Nagpur to facilitate the swift establishment of necessary industrial infrastructure. If the joint venture successfully secures the IAF contract, the facility will not only focus on aircraft assembly but will also integrate system engineering and develop a local supply chain, thereby contributing to India's self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
Bosco da Costa Junior, President & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, emphasized the significance of this milestone, noting that selecting Nagpur is crucial for fostering a sustainable aerospace ecosystem in India. He reaffirmed the company's commitment to enhancing India's defense capabilities, contingent upon the C-390's selection. Similarly, Vinod Sahay from Mahindra expressed appreciation for the Maharashtra Government's swift land allocation and reiterated the group's commitment to developing competitive manufacturing capabilities to support the MTA program.
The IAF's MTA program is pivotal for acquiring modern transport aircraft capable of carrying payloads between 18 to 30 tonnes. The Embraer C-390 Millennium is in direct competition with the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules and the Airbus A400M Atlas. The procurement process emphasizes the necessity for domestic manufacturing, making it a critical factor for the winning bid. The C-390, with a maximum payload capacity of 26 tonnes, is designed for various missions, including troop transport, medical evacuation, and humanitarian relief, and is capable of operating from unpaved runways.
Looking ahead, the collaboration between Embraer and Mahindra, which began with a Memorandum of Understanding in February 2024 and evolved into a Strategic Cooperation Agreement in October 2025, is set to expand. By February 2026, the partners plan to establish extensive Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities in India. This partnership aims to leverage Embraer's engineering expertise alongside Mahindra's manufacturing scale to provide a fully indigenized solution for India's future airlift requirements.
