DefenseEmbraer and Mahindra plan C-390 MRO in India
Embraer and the Indian group Mahindra announced plans to install a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) unit in India dedicated to the C-390 Millennium military cargo aircraft, should the aircraft be selected in the Indian Air Force (IAF) Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program. The initiative is another step in the strategy to localize part of the production and logistical support of the model in the Asian country.
The two companies had signed a strategic cooperation agreement in October 2025 to enable the manufacturing of the C-390 in India, within the guidelines of the government program ‘Make in India’.
Now, the proposal foresees that, in addition to the eventual local assembly, a complete support structure for the fleet will be created, including basic and heavy maintenance, structural inspections, component overhauls, avionics support, and training.
The C-390 is offered to India as an alternative in the medium military transport segment, with a payload capacity of up to 26 tons. The model can perform troop and cargo transport missions, medical evacuations, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian operations. It can also operate on unpaved runways and be configured for in-flight refueling.
The competition in the MTA program is considered one of the most contested in the current military market. Airbus offers the A400M, while Lockheed Martin proposes the C-130J. The Indian Air Force is evaluating the acquisition of 40 to 80 aircraft, but there is still no set deadline for the announcement of the winner.
The eventual installation of the MRO in India seeks to meet the demand for greater logistical and industrial autonomy from New Delhi. According to the companies, the structure would allow local support throughout the entire life cycle of the aircraft and could, in the future, serve regional operators of the C-390.
Embraer maintains a modest presence in the Indian market, with about 50 aircraft operating in the country across different segments. In the military field, the ERJ145 jet serves as the basis for the Indian Air Force’s early warning platform ‘Netra’, while the Legacy 600 is used for transporting authorities. In addition, there is a small fleet of regional jets operating with Star Air, from Bangalore.
About the Author
Ricardo Meier
Creator of the website that started in 1996 as a magazine. He also writes on Brazilian websites AUTOO, MOTOO and MetrôCPTM.
