Where is the proposed assembly line located?

The companies have identified Nagpur, Maharashtra, as the potential location for the final assembly line. The Maharashtra government has already allotted land for this purpose.

What is the C-390 Millennium aircraft?

The C-390 Millennium is a multi-mission military transport aircraft designed for various operations, including troop and cargo transport, airdrop, medical evacuation, and humanitarian missions. It has a payload capacity of up to 26 tonnes.

Mahindra and Embraer Eye Nagpur for C-390 Aircraft Assembly Line

Q: What are Mahindra Group and Embraer planning in India?

Mahindra Group and Embraer are planning to establish an industrial and support ecosystem in India for the C-390 Millennium military transport and aerial refuelling aircraft. This includes a potential final assembly line.

Q: Is the project confirmed?

The project is in preparatory discussions and is contingent on the C-390 Millennium being selected by the Indian government and an order placed under the Indian Air Force's Medium Transport Aircraft programme.

Mahindra Group and Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer are in preparatory discussions to establish an industrial and support ecosystem in India for the C-390 Millennium military transport and aerial refuelling aircraft, according to a statement from Mahindra Group on Thursday.

The two companies have identified Nagpur, Maharashtra, as a potential location for a final assembly line for the Embraer C-390 Millennium aircraft production in India, according to Moneycontrol.com, Reuters, BusinessLine, and Telegraph India. This move is part of their joint pursuit of the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme.

Key Developments and Partnership Details

Mahindra Group stated that the companies are working with the Maharashtra government regarding the identified location in Nagpur. The proposed facility would support local assembly and industrialisation of the aircraft in India, contingent on the Embraer C-390 Millennium being selected by the Indian government and an order placed under the IAF's MTA programme.

Embraer and Mahindra formalized a strategic cooperation agreement in October last year to jointly advance the C-390 Millennium for the IAF's MTA programme. This agreement built upon an earlier initial pact signed in February 2024, according to business-standard.com. The collaboration is intended to cover industrialisation, local manufacturing, assembly, supply chain development, and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) activities in India.

In February 2026, the companies also announced plans to work on establishing a C-390 Millennium MRO capability in India, subject to the aircraft's selection under the MTA programme, business-standard.com reported.

Vinod Sahay, Member of the Group Executive Board at Mahindra Group, stated that Mahindra is committed to building a globally competitive aerospace ecosystem in India and creating manufacturing and technology capabilities that contribute to the country's Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) ambitions. "As we work with Embraer on the C-390 Millennium, we are preparing the industrial ecosystem required to support the programme at scale. Nagpur offers a compelling opportunity for such a capability," Sahay said, according to business-standard.com.

Sahay also noted that the Maharashtra government has "expeditiously" allotted land in Nagpur and is assisting with related requirements. The companies are working closely with the state government to ensure the required industrial infrastructure can be progressed quickly if the programme is awarded to the partnership.

The proposed Nagpur facility aims to bring know-how on aircraft assembly, system integration, manufacturing engineering, and local supply chain development into the country. Subject to the programme award, the partnership intends to progressively integrate Indian aerospace companies into the C-390 Millennium ecosystem to deliver manufacturing, aftermarket services, training, and lifecycle support, aligning with the Indian government's Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat objectives, business-standard.com reported.

Bosco da Costa Jr., President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, expressed that Embraer is pleased to deepen its partnership with Mahindra as preparations advance to bring the C-390 Millennium's industrial capabilities to India. "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 said, according to business-standard.com.

Costa Jr. also acknowledged the support of the Maharashtra government and expressed a desire to work closely with partners to strengthen India's indigenous aerospace and defence capabilities, "subject to the C-390 Millennium being selected for the Indian Air Force programme," business-standard.com reported.

About the C-390 Millennium

The C-390 Millennium is described as a multi-mission military transport aircraft. It is designed to perform a range of missions, including troop and cargo transport, airdrop operations, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian missions, according to business-standard.com.

The aircraft has a payload capacity of up to 26 tonnes and is designed to operate from temporary or unpaved runways. The proposed industrialisation programme would leverage Embraer's aerospace engineering and aircraft manufacturing expertise alongside Mahindra's established manufacturing capabilities and extensive Indian industrial ecosystem, business-standard.com reported.

Future Outlook

The companies will continue to engage with the Indian government, the Indian aerospace ecosystem, and the Maharashtra government as they advance preparations for the programme, according to business-standard.com.

"These preparations are, of course, subject to the selection of the C-390 Millennium by the Indian government and the placement of the IAF order," Sahay reiterated, according to business-standard.com.