Embraer and the Mahindra Group have announced plans to develop a maintenance, repair, and overhaul capability in India for the C-390 Millennium if the aircraft is selected for the country’s Medium Transport Aircraft program.
The proposal builds on a strategic cooperation agreement signed last year, covering potential local production of the C-390 in India.
The new step focuses on establishing in-country sustainment and support infrastructure, part of broader efforts to expand domestic aerospace manufacturing under national industrial policies and reduce reliance on overseas maintenance.
If implemented, the planned facility would handle a full range of maintenance and support functions.
These include heavy and base maintenance, component repair, avionics support, and technical training.
While the immediate focus is on supporting a potential Indian Air Force fleet, the companies are also assessing whether the Asian nation could eventually serve as a regional maintenance hub for other C-390 operators.
Embraer in India
Embraer already has an established footprint in India across commercial, business, and defense aviation, with around 50 aircraft of various models currently in operation nationwide.
In the defense segment, the ERJ145 jet serves as the platform for the Indian Air Force’s Netra airborne early warning and control aircraft, adapted for surveillance and command missions.
Meanwhile, Legacy 600 business jets are operated by the Indian Air Force and other government agencies to transport senior officials and conduct official travel.
C-390 Aircraft
The C-390 is a twin-engine military transport aircraft designed for medium-lift cargo and troop transport missions.
It also supports airdrops, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian operations.
It can operate from semi-prepared runways and can be configured for air-to-air refuelling roles.
The aircraft can carry up to 26 metric tons of payload, has a maximum cruise speed of 470 knots (870 kilometers/541 miles per hour), and an operational ceiling of 36,000 feet (around 11,000 meters).
