Embraer and the Mahindra Group have outlined plans to develop a dedicated maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility in India for the C-390 Millennium, contingent on the aircraft’s selection under the Medium Transport Aircraft program.
The initiative expands on a cooperation agreement signed last year that addressed prospects for manufacturing the C-390 locally. The current proposal emphasizes establishing domestic sustainment capabilities, supporting India’s industrial policy objectives to boost indigenous aerospace capacity and minimize reliance on foreign maintenance providers.
The proposed MRO center would handle a full spectrum of services, including heavy maintenance, component overhaul, avionics support, and specialized technical training. Although the primary objective is to support a prospective Indian Air Force fleet, the companies are also studying the feasibility of positioning India as a regional service hub for other C-390 operators.
Embraer’s Indian Operations
Embraer has an established presence in India, with around 50 aircraft operating across commercial, executive, and defense sectors.
Within the defense domain, the ERJ145 aircraft serves as the foundation for the Indian Air Force’s Netra AEW&C platform. Meanwhile, Legacy 600 jets are used by the Indian Air Force and government entities for executive transport and official missions.
C-390 Capabilities
The C-390 Millennium is a twin-engine transport aircraft designed for medium-lift military operations. Beyond troop and cargo transport, it supports missions such as aerial delivery, medical evacuation, search and rescue, disaster relief, firefighting, and air-to-air refueling.
Capable of operating from austere and semi-prepared airstrips, the aircraft can transport up to 26 metric tons. It cruises at speeds up to 470 knots and operates at altitudes of up to 36,000 feet.
