New Delhi, February 9, 2024: Embraer Defense and Security and Mahindra announced today that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the goal of jointly fulfilling the acquisition of the multi-mission aircraft C-390 Millennium by the Indian Air Force in its upcoming Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) procurement project.
The memorandum of understanding was signed at the Brazilian Embassy in New Delhi.
Embraer and Mahindra will engage with the Indian Air Force to identify the next steps of the MTA program, as well as reach out to the local aerospace industry in India to start developing the industrialization plan for the project.
The memorandum of understanding was signed by Embraer Defense and Security and Mahindra Defence Systems, a 100% subsidiary of Mahindra, focusing on armored transport and security-related products, including electronics.
Embraer has a consolidated presence in India in the areas of defense, commercial aviation, and executive aviation. In August 2023, Embraer held a C-390 Millennium Day in New Delhi, India, to deepen engagement with the local aerospace industry, which was very well attended by the Indian ecosystem.
The C-390 Millennium multi-mission tactical transport aircraft offers unmatched mobility, combining high productivity and operational flexibility with low operating costs, an unbeatable combination.
Since entering service with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019 and more recently with the Portuguese Air Force in 2023, the C-390 has proven its capability, reliability, and performance. The current fleet of operational aircraft has accumulated more than 11500 flight hours, with an operational availability of around 80% and mission completion rates above 99%, demonstrating exceptional productivity in its category. The C-390 Millennium achieved its Full Operational Capability status by the Brazilian Air Force in 2023, endorsing the platform’s ability to perform all the missions it was designed for.
To date, the C-390 Millennium has been selected by Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, and most recently, South Korea.
The C-390, the most modern military transport aircraft on the market, can carry more payload (26 t) compared to other medium-sized military transport aircraft and flies at 870 km/h (470 knots).
It is capable of performing a wide range of missions, such as transport and dropping of cargo and troops, medical evacuation, search and rescue, aerial firefighting, and humanitarian missions, operating on temporary or unpaved runways, such as compacted soil, dirt, and gravel. The aircraft configured with air-to-air refueling equipment, designated KC-390, has already proven its air refueling capability both as a tanker and as a receiver, in this case receiving fuel from another KC-390 using pods installed under the wings.
The collaboration around the C-390 Millennium will bring the latest technology in terms of aerospace and military transport aircraft to India. Both Embraer and Mahindra will explore the potential of transforming India into a future hub for C-390 aircraft in the region.
Source: Mahindra
