Context:
Brazilian aerospace firm Embraer has partnered with Mahindra Group to manufacture the C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft in India for the Indian Air Force (IAF), as part of the government’s Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat defence initiatives.
Key Highlights / Details
Strategic Industrial Partnership
- Embraer opened its India office and signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Mahindra.
- Agreement builds on an earlier MoU signed in February 2024.
- The partnership will:
- Compete for the Indian Air Force’s transport aircraft requirement.
- Establish manufacturing and assembly lines in India.
- Create local supply chain capability and export opportunities.
About C-390 Millennium
- Medium-lift tactical transport aircraft.
- Can carry troops, cargo, and perform airdrop, medical evacuation, and disaster relief missions.
- Payload capacity: 26 tonnes.
- Competes with aircraft like C-130 Hercules (U.S.) and A400M (Airbus).
Defence Manufacturing Boost
- Supports India’s strategic goal to replace ageing transport fleets like An-32.
- Enhances domestic aerospace capacity.
- Signals growing India–Brazil defence and industrial cooperation.
Relevant Prelims Points
- Embraer: Third-largest aircraft manufacturer after Airbus and Boeing.
- Mahindra Defence Systems: Part of Mahindra Group; works on land & naval defence systems.
- Offset Policy under India’s Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) boosts domestic manufacturing.
- IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed & Manufactured) category encourages local defence procurement.
Relevant Mains Points
- Defence Indigenisation – reduces dependence on imports.
- Strategic Partnerships Model – private sector role in defence manufacturing.
- India–Brazil Bilateral Relations – expanding cooperation under IBSA & BRICS.
- Technology Transfer & Capability Building – long-term benefits for aerospace ecosystem.