Mahindra and Embraer name Nagpur for potential C-390 Millennium assembly line in India
Mahindra Group and Embraer have identified Nagpur as the site for a potential Final Assembly Line for the C-390 Millennium, contingent on the aircraft being selected for the Indian Air Force's Medium Transport Aircraft…
- up to 26 tonnes
- February 2024
- October 2025
- February 2026
What Happened
Mahindra Group and Embraer are continuing preparatory discussions and planning for an industrial and support ecosystem for the C-390 Millennium in India as the two companies jointly pursue the Indian Air Force's Medium Transport Aircraft programme. Working with the Government of Maharashtra, they have identified Nagpur as the location for a potential Final Assembly Line for C-390 Millennium production in India. The proposed facility would support local assembly and industrialisation of the aircraft, but only if the Government of India selects the C-390 Millennium and an order is placed under the IAF's MTA programme. The companies say they are working closely with the Maharashtra government on completing the associated processes, so that the required industrial infrastructure can be progressed expeditiously if the programme is awarded to the partnership.
The proposed Nagpur facility is described as a state-of-the-art facility that would bring knowhow on aircraft assembly, system integration, manufacturing engineering and local supply chain development into India. 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, in line with the Government of India's Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat objectives. The industrialisation programme would leverage Embraer's aerospace engineering and aircraft manufacturing expertise together with Mahindra's established manufacturing capabilities and extensive Indian industrial ecosystem. The companies say they will continue to engage with the Government of India, the Indian aerospace ecosystem and the Government of Maharashtra as they progress preparations.
Embraer and Mahindra sign an earlier MoU, which the later cooperation builds on.
The two companies enter into a Strategic Cooperation Agreement to jointly advance the C-390 Millennium for the IAF's MTA programme, covering industrialisation, local manufacturing, assembly, supply chain development and MRO activities in India.
The partners announce plans to work towards establishing a C-390 Millennium MRO capability in India, subject to the aircraft's selection under the MTA programme.
Mahindra and Embraer, working with the Government of Maharashtra, identify Nagpur as the location for a potential Final Assembly Line for C-390 Millennium production in India.
“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.”
“Embraer is pleased to deepen its partnership with Mahindra as we advance our preparations 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. We value the support of the Government of Maharashtra and look forward to working closely with our partners to strengthen India's indigenous aerospace and defence capabilities, subject to the C-390 Millennium being selected for the Indian Air Force programme.”
- Troop and cargo transport
- Airdrop operations
- Medical evacuation
- Search and rescue
- Firefighting
- Humanitarian missions
up to 26tonnes
The multi-mission military transport aircraft is designed to operate from temporary or unpaved runways.
Why this matters
The facility would only be built if the Government of India selects the C-390 Millennium for the IAF's Medium Transport Aircraft programme and places an order. If it goes ahead, the companies say it would bring aircraft assembly knowhow into India and progressively pull Indian aerospace firms into manufacturing, training and lifecycle support work.
Terms in This Story
- Final Assembly Line
- The facility where major aircraft sections are brought together and the finished aircraft is assembled and tested.
- MRO
- Maintenance, repair and overhaul: the aftermarket services that keep aircraft airworthy and in service over their lifetime.
- Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme
- An Indian Air Force procurement programme for military transport aircraft in the medium size class.
- Atmanirbhar Bharat
- A Government of India policy of promoting self-reliance, aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing and reducing dependence on imports.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.