New Delhi: Mahindra Group and Brazil’s aerospace giant Embraer have announced plans to establish a C-390 Millennium Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hub in India, marking a major milestone in defence aerospace cooperation between the two nations.
This proposed facility — contingent on the Indian Air Force selecting the C-390 for its Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme — aims to strengthen India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities under the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
Details of Mahindra-Embraer Partnership
The plan to establish the C-390 MRO hub builds on a strategic partnership between Embraer and the Mahindra Group that was formalised in October 2025. This alliance was created as part of a joint effort to introduce and localise the production of the modern C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft in India.
Officials from both companies have stated that this partnership is aimed not only at supporting the Indian Air Force’s transport needs but also at empowering India’s broader defence aerospace ecosystem.
What Is the C-390 Millennium?
The C-390 Millennium is a next-generation military transport aircraft developed by Embraer.
It is designed to serve multiple mission roles including:
- Cargo and troop transport
- Medical evacuation
- Search and rescue
- Airdrop operations
- Firefighting and humanitarian aid
With a maximum payload capacity of up to 26 tonnes and advanced aviation technologies, the aircraft is considered one of the most capable in its class worldwide.
Key Objectives of Mahindra-Embraer Partnership: The MRO Facility
The proposed MRO facility will serve as a comprehensive support centre for the maintenance, repair and lifecycle operations of the C-390 fleet in India.
Key features of the facility are expected to include:
- Base and heavy maintenance
- Structural inspections and testing
- Component repair and overhaul
- Avionics and systems support
- Training for technical personnel
These services will help ensure high aircraft availability, reduced turnaround time, and enhanced operational autonomy for the Indian Air Force.
Alignment with Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat
The project aligns closely with India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat goals. Localising maintenance and support services domestically helps reduce dependency on foreign support, creates skilled jobs, and strengthens India’s defence industrial base.
Mahindra Aerospace brings existing expertise in aircraft airframe maintenance and avionics, which will play a pivotal role in building out MRO competencies. At the same time, Embraer’s global experience and advanced aerospace technologies bring added value to India’s defence ecosystem.
Impact of Mahindra-Embraer Partnership
While the primary objective is to support the Indian Air Force fleet, officials from both companies have acknowledged the broader potential of the facility to grow into a regional MRO hub for other operators of the C-390 Millennium across Asia and beyond.
This could make India an attractive destination for aircraft support services in the region, reinforcing the country’s status as an aerospace manufacturing and services centre.
