Mahindra, Embraer advance C-390 Millennium plan, name Nagpur as potential final assembly line

Mahindra Group and Embraer have identified Nagpur as the potential final assembly line for the C-390 Millennium in India, subject to the aircraft being selected for the Indian Air Force's Medium Transport Aircraft programme

Mahindra Group and Brazilian partner Embraer have identified Nagpur as the potential Final Assembly Line (FAL) for C-390 Millennium aircraft in India, as the two companies pursue the Indian Air Force (IAF) Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme, they said in a press release.

The proposed facility would handle local assembly and industrialisation of the aircraft. It depends on the Government of India selecting the Embraer C-390 Millennium and placing an order under the IAF's MTA programme.

Work with the Maharashtra government

The companies are working with the Government of Maharashtra to complete the associated processes. Their aim is to progress the required industrial infrastructure quickly if the partnership wins the programme.

Vinod Sahay, Member of the Group Executive Board, Mahindra Group, said, "Mahindra is committed to building a globally competitive aerospace ecosystem in India and to creating meaningful manufacturing and technology capabilities that contribute to the country's Atmanirbhar Bharat 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, and we are very grateful to the Government of Maharashtra on expeditiously allotting the land in Nagpur and helping with the related requirements. These preparations are, of course, subject to the selection of the C-390 Millennium by the Government of India and the placement of the IAF order."

Bosco Da Costa Junior, President and Chief Executive Officer, Embraer Defense & Security, said, "Identifying Nagpur as the potential location for an assembly facility is an important step in building a robust, long-term aerospace ecosystem in the country."

Plans for the Nagpur facility

The proposed Nagpur facility would be state of the art and a critical part of a broader industrialisation strategy in India. It would bring deep knowhow on aircraft assembly, system integration, manufacturing engineering and local supply chain development into the country.

The partnership intends to bring Indian aerospace companies progressively into the C-390 Millennium ecosystem. They would deliver manufacturing, aftermarket services, training and lifecycle support, in line with the Government of India's Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat objectives.

The programme would combine Embraer's aerospace engineering and aircraft manufacturing expertise with Mahindra's established manufacturing capabilities and extensive Indian industrial ecosystem. The ambition is to create a long-term aerospace manufacturing and support hub in India. The companies will keep engaging with the Government of India, the Indian aerospace ecosystem and the Government of Maharashtra as preparations progress.

Partnership timeline

Embraer and Mahindra signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement in October 2025 to jointly advance the C-390 Millennium for the IAF's MTA programme, building on an earlier MoU signed in February 2024. The agreement covers collaboration on industrialisation, local manufacturing, assembly, supply chain development and MRO activities in India.

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

About the C-390 Millennium

The C-390 Millennium is a multi-mission military transport aircraft. It is designed for troop and cargo transport, airdrop operations, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting and humanitarian missions. It has a payload capacity of up to 26 tonnes and can operate from temporary or unpaved runways.

Embraer has a longstanding presence in India, with nearly 50 aircraft across 11 different types currently operating in commercial, defence and business aviation. In the defence segment, the ERJ145 platform is the basis for the IAF's 'Netra' AEW&C aircraft. The IAF and the Border Security Force (BSF) operate the Legacy 600 to transport government officials and VIPs.

Founded in 1945, the Mahindra Group is one of the largest and most admired multinational federations of companies, with over 327K+ employees in over 100 countries. It leads in farm equipment, utility vehicles, information technology and financial services in India, and is the world's largest tractor company by volume.

It also has a strong presence in renewable energy, agriculture, logistics, hospitality and real estate. The group focuses on leading ESG globally, enabling rural prosperity and enhancing urban living, with a goal of driving positive change in the lives of communities and stakeholders to enable them to Rise.

Embraer is a global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil. It operates in the Commercial Aviation, Executive Aviation, Defense & Security and Agricultural Aviation segments, designing, developing, manufacturing and marketing aircraft and systems, and providing after-sales services and support.

Since its foundation in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 9,000 aircraft. On average, an Embraer aircraft takes off somewhere in the world every 10 seconds, carrying more than 150 million passengers annually.

Embraer is a leading manufacturer of commercial jets of up to 150 seats and the main exporter of high value-added goods in Brazil. It maintains industrial units, offices, service centres and parts distribution centres, among other activities, in the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe.