Mahindra Group and Brazilian aerospace giant Embraer have announced significant progress in their joint efforts to industrialize the C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft in India. The companies have pinpointed Nagpur as the prospective location for a final assembly facility, a crucial step in their bid for the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program.
Developing India's Aerospace Ecosystem
The proposed facility in Nagpur is envisioned as a state-of-the-art hub dedicated to aircraft assembly, system integration, manufacturing engineering, and fostering a local supply-chain network. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to establish an industrial and support ecosystem for the C-390 Millennium within India.
Vinod Sahay, Member of the Group Executive Board at Mahindra Group, emphasized the company's commitment. "Mahindra is committed to building a globally competitive aerospace ecosystem in India and to creating meaningful manufacturing and technology capabilities that contribute to the country’s Atmanirbhar Bharat ambitions," Sahay stated. He also acknowledged the Maharashtra government's support in expeditiously allotting land in Nagpur.
A Partnership for Defense Self-Reliance
The collaboration between Mahindra and Embraer is contingent upon the C-390 Millennium being selected by the Government of India and an order being placed under the IAF’s MTA program. If awarded, the partnership plans to progressively integrate Indian aerospace companies into the C-390 Millennium ecosystem, covering manufacturing, aftermarket services, training, and lifecycle support.
Bosco da Costa Jr, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, expressed enthusiasm for the deepening partnership. "Identifying Nagpur as a potential location for an assembly facility is an important step in building a robust, long-term aerospace ecosystem in the country," he remarked.
The C-390 Millennium: A Versatile Platform
The C-390 Millennium is a multi-mission military transport aircraft known for its versatility. It is designed to perform a wide range of operations, including troop and cargo transport, airdrop missions, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian aid. With a payload capacity of up to 26 tonnes, the aircraft is engineered to operate efficiently from both temporary and unpaved runways, making it suitable for diverse operational environments.
This advanced planning builds on a Strategic Cooperation Agreement signed in October 2025, which itself expanded upon an earlier memorandum of understanding from February 2024. The agreement covers local manufacturing, assembly, supply-chain development, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activities in India, further solidifying the long-term vision for the C-390 program.