The dispute for the MTA (Medium Transport Aircraft) contract of the Indian Air Force is intensifying between Lockheed Martin, which is offering the C-130J Super Hercules, and Embraer, which is trying to score another victory for the C-390 Millennium.
Days after the US aerospace giant announced that it will have a second turboprop assembly line in India if it wins the bid, Embraer revealed that it has concluded a tour of the country in search of suppliers for its aircraft.
The Brazilian company’s proposal is broader and evaluates potential suppliers for several of its aircraft, not only in defense but also in commercial and executive aviation.
Follow Air Data News: WhatsApp | Google News | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook
Among the areas being investigated are aerostructures, machining, sheet metal, composites, forgings, wire harness, and hardware and software development.
“India has a robust aviation and defense 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.
“Make in India”
In February, Embraer signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian group Mahindra to facilitate an assembly line for the C-390 if it is chosen by the country’s Air Force, which plans to order up to 80 aircraft.
With a booming economy, India has attracted global attention in both civil aviation and defense.
The local government launched the “Make in India” program, which lays the industrial foundations for important development programs.
For Embraer, the Indian market is still largely unexplored. Only 44 of the manufacturer’s aircraft fly in the country, including five executive jets for the government and three EMB 145 AEW “Netra” for the Air Force.
In commercial aviation, the operator with the most relevant Embraer fleet is Star Air, which has four E175s and four ERJ 145s.
