Embraer held the “C-390 Millennium Day” in Delhi this week, an event that brought together representatives of public and private entities from the aerospace and defense industry in India.
At the meeting, the manufacturer presented its strategies to support the “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-sufficient India) initiatives, promoted by the local government to leverage different sectors in the country.
“The event was a great platform to deepen engagement with the players in the industry as we strengthen the case of the C-390 Millennium for India,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, President & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. “The vibrant discussions have paved the way for us to carve a unique proposition for India and the Indian Air Force.”
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As has been known for some time, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is looking for a new medium transport aircraft. The IAF’s plan is to acquire between 60 and 80 aircraft of this size and the C-390 is one of the few options in this category, along with Lockheed Martin’s C-130J Super Hercules turboprop.
In early 2023, the IAF requested a request for information on the C-390 Millennium and was granted by Embraer. Also this year, in February, the multirole aircraft manufactured in Brazil was exhibited at AeroIndia.
The evolution towards a C-390 purchase agreement by India, however, still depends on a series of developments. For New Delhi, the ideal would be the formation of a joint venture between Embraer and a local company to establish an aircraft production line in the country.
Partner with HAL?
In this sense, the Indian state-owned manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which produces the Tejas fighter, could be the partner of the Brazilian company in manufacturing the plane destined for the IAF.
Embraer’s military aircraft, in the KC-390 version (designation of the version with aerial refueling capacity), entered service with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) in 2019.
According to the manufacturer, the current fleet of six aircraft has already accumulated more than 9,500 flight hours with an availability level of around 80% and a mission completion rate above 99%.
Embraer has so far 24 firm orders for the C-390/KC-390. There are 19 orders (with six deliveries already made) from the FAB, five from Portugal and two from Hungary.
The aircraft was also selected by the Netherlands, but the contract for the purchase of up to five aircraft has not yet been signed.
