- Embraer and Mahindra signed a strategic cooperation agreement to promote the C-390 Millennium for India’s MTA program.
- Embraer will also showcase the C-390 at Seoul ADEX 2025 as it advances delivery plans for South Korea’s LTA-II program.
Embraer Defense & Security has formalized a strategic partnership with India’s Mahindra Group to promote the C-390 Millennium transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program.
The agreement, signed in New Delhi, deepens cooperation between the two firms and aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative to increase domestic defense production.
According to Embraer, the Strategic Cooperation Agreement (SCA) expands on a Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier this year and aims to position India as a long-term hub for the C-390 Millennium platform. The focus includes manufacturing, assembly, supply chain development, and maintenance capabilities.
“The collaboration brings together Brazilian aerospace expertise and India’s industrial strength,” the company said in a release. “It supports India’s self-reliance goals while enabling the C-390 to meet both domestic and regional needs.”
Mahindra and Embraer plan to work with Indian defense stakeholders to develop an industrial base that includes MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) operations and potential job creation. The agreement reflects Embraer’s broader strategy to expand in the Asian market after securing multiple contracts in Europe.
In a separate development, Embraer has confirmed its participation at Seoul ADEX 2025 from October 20 to 24, where it is showcasing its defense portfolio, including the C-390, at Booth 7-16. The company said its presence at the South Korean event underlines its “strong commitment” to the country’s defense industry.
“The C-390 aircraft for South Korea are advancing as planned,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, President & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. “We value the close cooperation we have with DAPA, ROKAF and our Korean suppliers on this project.”
In 2023, South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) selected the C-390 Millennium to meet its Large Transport Aircraft (LTA-II) requirement, replacing aging transport assets with a modern twin-jet platform. The aircraft for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) will be specially configured to meet operational needs and delivered with a full support package including training, spare parts, and ground support systems.
The C-390 Millennium is already in service with Brazil and Portugal, and has been selected by countries including Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, and South Korea. Embraer says the aircraft offers a combination of speed, range, and payload capacity, making it suitable for a wide range of tactical airlift missions.