Embraer and the Mahindra Group have announced plans to develop in‑country Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) capability in India for the C‑390 Millennium, contingent on the aircraft’s selection for the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program. The announcement was made in New Delhi on 19 February 2026.

The move builds on a strategic cooperation agreement signed in October 2025, which sets the framework for local production of the multi‑mission C‑390 Millennium transport aircraft. The collaboration supports India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and is aimed at strengthening industrial and operational autonomy while enhancing fleet readiness.

The C‑390 Millennium is a modern medium‑lift military transport aircraft, capable of carrying up to 26 tons of payload and performing a wide variety of missions including troop and cargo transport, airdrops, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting and humanitarian assistance. The aircraft can operate from unpaved or temporary runways and can be configured for air‑to‑air refuelling as both a tanker and receiver. In‑service fleets have demonstrated a mission completion rate above 99 percent, underscoring its reliability and operational effectiveness.

The proposed MRO facility will deliver full-spectrum in‑country maintenance including base and heavy maintenance, structural inspections, component repair, avionics support and training. This capability is expected to improve aircraft availability, operational autonomy and long-term sustainment for the Indian Air Force.

“Embraer is committed to delivering not only a world‑class aircraft but also a robust long‑term support ecosystem tailored to India’s operational and industrial requirements,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defence & Security.

Vinod Sahay, Member of the Group Executive Board at Mahindra Group, added, “A state‑of‑the‑art C‑390 Millennium MRO capability in India would ensure high aircraft availability, enhanced operational autonomy and a comprehensive local sustainment solution throughout the aircraft’s lifecycle.”

Carlos Naufel, President and CEO of Embraer Services & Support, noted that the initiative could also create high-skill employment, expand collaboration with Indian aerospace companies and integrate Indian suppliers into Embraer’s global supply chain.

While the primary focus is supporting the Indian Air Force, India may also serve as a regional MRO hub for other C‑390 Millennium operators. The aircraft is already in service with air forces in Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, South Korea, Uzbekistan, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Slovakia and Lithuania.

Embraer has a strong presence in India, operating nearly 50 aircraft across commercial, defense and business aviation sectors. In defense, the ERJ145 platform forms the basis of the Indian Air Force’s ‘Netra’ AEW&C system while the Legacy 600 serves the IAF and Border Security Force for VIP transport.