The Mahindra Group has officially announced a tie-up with Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer to set up a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) capability to service the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) C-390 Millennium medium transport aircraft in India.
The two companies had entered into a strategic partnership in October 2025 to manufacture the C-390 Millennium multi-mission military transport aircraft in India.
The proposed MRO facility will provide comprehensive in‑country maintenance and sustainment for the IAF’s C‑390 fleet, supporting high levels of operational readiness and availability. The initiative reinforces the companies’ joint commitment to positioning the C‑390 Millennium as a strong solution for India’s future medium transport aircraft requirements, according to an official statement.
“Embraer is committed to delivering not only a world‑class aircraft, but also a robust, long‑term support ecosystem tailored to India’s operational and industrial requirements,” Embraer (Defence & Security) President & CEO Bosco da Costa Junior said.
“A state‑of‑the‑art C‑390 Millennium MRO capability in India would ensure high aircraft availability, enhanced operational autonomy and a comprehensive local sustainment solution for the Indian Air Force throughout the aircraft’s lifecycle,” Mahindra’s Member of Group Executive Board Vinod Sahay said.
The proposed MRO capability is expected to deliver a full spectrum of services, including base and heavy maintenance, structural inspections and testing, component repair and overhaul, avionics support and training.
“Embraer and Mahindra intend to expand collaboration with Indian aerospace companies to drive higher localisation of C-390 Millennium aircraft and support MRO activities, reinforcing our commitment to the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and the vision of ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’. In addition to fleet support, this new MRO facility could create high‑skill employment and further contribute to the integration of Indian companies into Embraer’s global supply chain,” Embraer Services & Support President & CEO Carlos Naufel said.
While the primary objective of the MRO is to support the IAF fleet, Embraer is also evaluating the potential for India to serve as its regional MRO hub, providing sustainment services for other C-390 Millennium operators in the future, according to the statement.
The C‑390 Millennium is the most modern military transport aircraft in its class, offering a payload capacity of up to 26 tons and higher speed and range compared to other medium‑sized military transport aircraft. It is capable of performing a wide range of missions, including cargo and troop transport, airdrop operations, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian missions. The aircraft can operate from temporary or unpaved runways and may be configured for air‑to‑air refuelling, both as a tanker and as a receiver. The in‑service fleet has demonstrated a mission completion rate above 99 percent, highlighting its productivity and reliability.
Embraer has a longstanding presence in India, with nearly 50 aircraft across 11 different types currently in operation in the country in commercial, defence, and business aviation roles. In the defence segment, the ERJ145 platform serves as the basis for the IAF’s ‘Netra’ AEW&C aircraft, while the Legacy 600 is operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Border Security Force (BSF) to transport government officials and VIPs.