New Delhi: Brazil’s Embraer expects India to press ahead with its planned military transport aircraft procurement programme in the coming months with a tender set to be issued soon. The competition is expected to play a significant role in the future airlift capabilities of the Indian Air Force and has attracted interest from leading global defence firms.
India is reportedly set to proceed with the acquisition of a new fleet of medium transport aircraft, with industry estimates suggesting a need for around 60 to 80 platforms. The programme is seen as one of the largest military aviation opportunities currently being considered in the country.
Embraer is offering the C-390 Millennium transport plane for the competition. The twin-engine jet-powered platform is capable of performing a variety of missions, including troop and cargo transport, medical evacuation, aerial refuelling, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. The aircraft is likely to compete directly with the C-130 Hercules family already in service with the Indian Air Force.
To improve its prospects in India, Embraer has partnered with leading Indian companies. The company has partnered with Mahindra to facilitate potential local production and sustainment activities such as maintenance and repair infrastructure. It has also expanded industrial cooperation with Adani Defence & Aerospace to pursue opportunities in aircraft manufacturing, supply-chain development, training and aftermarket support.
These collaborations are in line with India’s push for enhanced indigenous defence production under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. If selected, Embraer is offering extensive local industrial participation including assembly and manufacturing activities in India, industry sources say.
Besides defence programs, Embraer is seeking to expand its footprint across India’s aviation space. The company already has aircraft in commercial, business and military operations in the country and is eyeing future opportunities in regional aviation and advanced air mobility solutions.
A formal request for proposal is expected for the transport aircraft programme, with a decision potentially years away, possibly not until 2027, making it a closely watched contest among global aerospace manufacturers for a foothold in one of the world’s fastest-growing defence markets.