NEW DELHI: Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer and the Mahindra Group have identified Nagpur as the location for a potential final assembly line for the C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft in India, the companies said on Thursday, advancing a major Make in India aerospace bid.
The announcement, made in a statement from Embraer, is contingent on the C-390 being selected for the Indian Air Force's Medium Transport Aircraft programme. The companies are working with the government of Maharashtra on infrastructure for the project.
What the proposed facility would do
The proposed Nagpur facility would cover aircraft assembly, system integration, manufacturing engineering and local supply chain development. "Subject to the programme award, the partnership intends to progressively integrate Indian aerospace companies into the C-390 Millennium ecosystem," Embraer said, spanning manufacturing, aftermarket services, maintenance, repair and overhaul, training and lifecycle support — in line with the government's Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat objectives.
The Maharashtra government has assisted with the project's requirements and allocated land in Nagpur for the prospective facility, according to Moneycontrol.
A strategic market
Embraer sees India as a strategic market as it seeks to boost global sales of the C-390, with the country expected to order 60 to 80 aircraft. The C-390 Millennium is a major competitor to Lockheed Martin's C-130 Hercules.
The site selection builds on a partnership that has deepened over two years: the companies signed a memorandum of understanding in February 2024, followed by a Strategic Cooperation Agreement in October 2025 to jointly pursue the IAF's transport aircraft contract, and expanded the framework in February 2026 to include plans for dedicated local C-390 maintenance capabilities in India.
"Mahindra is committed to building a globally competitive aerospace ecosystem in India. As we work with Embraer on the C-390 Millennium, we are preparing the industrial ecosystem to support the programme at scale," said Vinod Sahay, Member of the Group Executive Board at the Mahindra Group, adding that Nagpur offered a compelling opportunity and thanking the Maharashtra government for expediting the land allotment.
Bosco da Costa Jr, President and CEO of Embraer Defence & Security, said identifying Nagpur as a potential assembly location was an important step towards creating a long-term aerospace ecosystem in India.
Sources: Embraer, Mahindra choose Nagpur for potential C-390 assembly line in India (Reuters); Mahindra, Embraer Identify Nagpur For C-390 Millennium Assembly Line In India (NDTV Profit)
The announcement, made in a statement from Embraer, is contingent on the C-390 being selected for the Indian Air Force's Medium Transport Aircraft programme. The companies are working with the government of Maharashtra on infrastructure for the project.
What the proposed facility would do
The proposed Nagpur facility would cover aircraft assembly, system integration, manufacturing engineering and local supply chain development. "Subject to the programme award, the partnership intends to progressively integrate Indian aerospace companies into the C-390 Millennium ecosystem," Embraer said, spanning manufacturing, aftermarket services, maintenance, repair and overhaul, training and lifecycle support — in line with the government's Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat objectives.
The Maharashtra government has assisted with the project's requirements and allocated land in Nagpur for the prospective facility, according to Moneycontrol.
A strategic market
Embraer sees India as a strategic market as it seeks to boost global sales of the C-390, with the country expected to order 60 to 80 aircraft. The C-390 Millennium is a major competitor to Lockheed Martin's C-130 Hercules.
The site selection builds on a partnership that has deepened over two years: the companies signed a memorandum of understanding in February 2024, followed by a Strategic Cooperation Agreement in October 2025 to jointly pursue the IAF's transport aircraft contract, and expanded the framework in February 2026 to include plans for dedicated local C-390 maintenance capabilities in India.
"Mahindra is committed to building a globally competitive aerospace ecosystem in India. As we work with Embraer on the C-390 Millennium, we are preparing the industrial ecosystem to support the programme at scale," said Vinod Sahay, Member of the Group Executive Board at the Mahindra Group, adding that Nagpur offered a compelling opportunity and thanking the Maharashtra government for expediting the land allotment.
Bosco da Costa Jr, President and CEO of Embraer Defence & Security, said identifying Nagpur as a potential assembly location was an important step towards creating a long-term aerospace ecosystem in India.
Sources: Embraer, Mahindra choose Nagpur for potential C-390 assembly line in India (Reuters); Mahindra, Embraer Identify Nagpur For C-390 Millennium Assembly Line In India (NDTV Profit)
