Mumbai: Mahindra Group and Embraer have identified Nagpur as the site for a potential final assembly line for the C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft. The plan applies if the jet is chosen for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme.
The companies said they are working with the Maharashtra government to complete the associated processes, so that the required industrial infrastructure can be developed quickly if the partnership wins. They stressed that everything depends on the Government of India selecting the aircraft and the IAF placing an order.
Vinod Sahay, member of the Group Executive Board at Mahindra Group, said the company is preparing an industrial ecosystem that can support the programme at scale. He thanked the Maharashtra government for allotting land in Nagpur quickly and for helping with related requirements.
Bosco da Costa Jr, president and chief executive of Embraer Defense & Security, said naming Nagpur was an important step towards a long-term aerospace ecosystem in India. He added that Embraer valued the state government's support.
According to the companies, the facility would bring know-how in aircraft assembly, system integration, manufacturing engineering and local supply chain development. If the programme is awarded, Indian aerospace firms would be brought into the C-390 ecosystem in stages for manufacturing, aftermarket services, training and lifecycle support, in line with the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat goals.
The announcement builds on earlier steps. Embraer and Mahindra signed a memorandum of understanding in February 2024 and a Strategic Cooperation Agreement in October 2025. In February 2026 they announced plans to set up a C-390 maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capability in India, again subject to selection.
The C-390 Millennium can carry up to 26 tonnes and is designed to operate from temporary or unpaved runways. Its roles include troop and cargo transport, airdrops, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting and humanitarian missions.
The MTA programme is meant to replace the IAF's aging Antonov An-32 fleet. The companies noted that the outcome of the procurement process, government approvals and the signing of definitive agreements remain beyond their control.
