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Embraer and local partner Mahindra have selected Nagpur as the potential final assembly site for the C-390 Millennium should the Indian government opt to procure the military transport aircraft.
The site selection in the center of the country comes as part of a multiyear push by Embraer to get India to commit to the program in what would be the largest single order to date. The company more than two years ago named Mahindra as its local partner and the pair this year detailed plans for related maintenance, repair and overhaul operations.
New Delhi issued a request for information from manufacturers during early 2023 for an airlifter capable of carrying 18-30 tons of cargo that could potentially replace the Indian Air Force fleet of Antonov An-32s. The total buy could reach 60-80 aircraft. India operates around 97 An-32-type aircraft, Aviation Week Fleet Discovery Military data shows.
“Identifying Nagpur as a potential location for an assembly facility is an important step in building a robust, long-term aerospace ecosystem in the country,” João Bosco da Costa Junior, CEO of Embraer's defense and security business, said in a statement.
As part of the local assembly site, Embraer said it would bring on Indian suppliers, too.
“As we work with Embraer on the C-390 Millennium, we are preparing the industrial ecosystem required to support the program at scale,” Mahindra Board Member Vinod Sahay added.
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