Brazilian aerospace company Embraer is making bold moves to expand its presence in the global defence and aviation markets, with a strong focus on India. The company is not only keen on increasing its footprint but also aims to strengthen its supply chain by tapping into India’s growing aerospace industry. This comes at a time when India’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program offers significant opportunities for growth and collaboration in the defence sector.
Embraer’s ten-member high-level delegation is visiting Bangalore exploring local suppliers across multiple business segments, including defence, commercial aviation, and executive jets. “India has a robust aviation and defence industry, and we see strong viability for manufacturers and systems developers in India to be key suppliers to Embraer,” said Roberto Chaves, Executive Vice-President of Global Procurement and Supply Chain at Embraer.
This outreach marks a strategic step for Embraer, as the company evaluates potential suppliers in areas such as aerostructures, composites, machining, sheet metal, and software development. Recognizing India’s well-established aerospace engineering capabilities, Embraer is positioning itself to benefit from the country’s skilled workforce and advanced technology.
MTA Program and the C-390 Millennium
One of the primary drivers of Embraer’s engagement with India is the Indian Air Force’s MTA program, a crucial defence initiative aimed at modernizing its fleet. In response to the Indian Air Force’s Request for Information (RfI) for the acquisition of 40 to 80 multi-role transport aircraft, Embraer is offering its C-390 Millennium, a state-of-the-art medium transport aircraft known for its versatility and advanced capabilities.
In February 2024, Embraer entered into a partnership with Mahindra Group, to offer the C-390 Millennium for the MTA program. This collaboration underscores the company’s commitment to India’s “Make in India” initiative, which encourages local manufacturing and assembly. Embraer and Mahindra are in discussions to potentially establish an assembly line in India for the C-390 Millennium, should it be selected for the program.
Frederico Lemos, Chief Commercial Officer of Embraer Defence & Security, emphasized the importance of India as a strategic partner: “Embraer has a long-standing presence in India with aircraft and solutions across defence, commercial aviation, and executive jets. The C-390 Millennium is the ideal solution for the Indian Air Force’s MTA program.”
The MTA program offers Embraer a significant growth opportunity in India’s defence sector, which has been increasingly looking to enhance its operational capabilities. In addition to the C-390’s versatility, Embraer and Mahindra are aiming to create a robust local supply chain that includes long-term support programs for maintenance and sustainability.
Strengthening Supply Chain in India
India’s potential as a key supplier for Embraer extends beyond just the MTA program. The company has already established a presence in the country with over 44 aircraft in use across commercial, executive, and defence segments. The Indian Air Force operates three EMB 145 AEW “Netra” military aircraft, while the Indian government uses five Embraer VIP jets.
Embraer’s aggressive approach to its supply chain in India highlights the importance of the country in its global strategy. “We are driven by a common vision, which is to drive the aviation capabilities of Brazil and India to greater heights, and to deliver value to our customers around the world,” Chaves added. The company’s interest in aerostructures, wire harnesses, and other manufacturing elements signals its intent to rely on India’s advanced engineering and manufacturing capabilities for future growth.
Rising Competition: Lockheed Martin’s Meeting in Bangalore
As Embraer pushes forward with its expansion, the competition for partnerships in India’s aerospace industry is intensifying. Recently, US based Lockheed Martin, which is pitching its C-130J Super Hercules Tactical airlifter for IAF’s MTA program, held a meeting with its suppliers in Bangalore to strengthen its supply chain presence in India. And it has also announced tie-up with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) to deepen their collaboration on the C-130J and setting up an MRO in India to support the IAF’s existing fleet of 12 C-130Js, as well as service other global Super Hercules fleets.