SANKALP SHRIVASTAVA

Brazil celebrated its National Day on September 7 and the occasion was not only a moment of pride for the nation but also a reminder of the growing bonds between Brazil and India — two dynamic economies with shared aspirations for innovation, security, and sustainable growth. These ties have been strengthened through high-level dialogues and state visits where defense cooperation emerged as a key area of mutual interest.

For Embraer, Brazil’s flagship aerospace and defense company, this partnership holds immense promise. As India prepares to mark its Air Force Day on October 8, Embraer is reaffirming its commitment to supporting India’s long-term vision for defense modernization, strategic selfreliance, and operational excellence.

Currently, nearly 50 Embraer aircraft — spanning 11 different types — operate in India across defense, commercial, and business aviation sectors. All are supported by Embraer’s established service and support network in the country. Embraer’s C-390 Millennium, the latest aircraft in Embraer’s portfolio and one of the world’s most advanced military transport aircraft could open a new chapter for Embraer in India as we seek to sink our roots further in the country.

A PROVEN PLATFORM FOR A MODERN AIR FORCE

The C-390 Millennium is redefining the medium-lift, multimission transport segment. Designed for versatility, it can carry 26 tons of payload, fly faster (470 knots) and farther than other aircraft in its class, and is fully capable & certified for operations from unpaved or temporary runways — making it an ideal choice for India’s diverse terrain, from the highaltitude Himalayan airfields to coastal and desert regions.

Already in service with the Brazilian Air Force since 2019 (Entry into Service) and selected by nations such as Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, South Korea, Czech Republic, Sweden, Slovakia and most recently Lithuania, the C-390 has achieved a 93% mission capability rate and over 99% mission completion rate — a testament to its reliability and mission readiness. This aircraft has superseded expectations and has already clocked in more than 20,000 flight hours in just six years since entry into service.

Its modular architecture allows for rapid reconfiguration for a wide range of missions: cargo and troop transport, medical evacuation, firefighting, search and rescue, humanitarian assistance, and the aircraft can also be configured for air-to-air refueling, both as a tanker and as a receiver.

As India prepares to honor its air warriors on Air Force Day and Brazil reflects on its achievements this National Day, the message is clear: the future of Brazil–India defense cooperation holds great potential

At Aero India 2025, the C-390 Millennium drew strong interest from the defense community, reflecting the growing interest for multi-role platforms that can not only enhance operational flexibility and readiness, but also come with a great value for money.

In 2024, Embraer signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mahindra Defence Systems to jointly evaluate opportunities for the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program. This collaboration is not just about delivering an aircraft — it’s about co-developing capabilities in line with India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision, fostering technology transfer, and building local expertise – considering India as the hub for local manufacturing and service of the C-390 aircraft, in the region.

56 YEARS OF INNOVATION — A SHARED FUTURE WITH INDIA

August 2025 marked Embraer’s 56th anniversary, a milestone in a journey defined by engineering excellence, innovation, and resilience. Over the past two decades alone, Embraer has designed, developed, and brought into service more than 20 different aircraft types across defense, commercial, and business aviation. The company continues to have a strong growth trajectory and in the second quarter of 2025, registered a US$29.7 billion– the highest level ever recorded by the company.

In India, Embraer’s legacy includes the successful collaboration with DRDO on the Netra AEW&C aircraft, based on the ERJ145 platform — a proven example of how Brazilian and Indian expertise can combine to deliver world-class solutions.

As India prepares to honor its air warriors on Air Force Day and Brazil reflects on its achievements this National Day, the message is clear: the future of Brazil–India defense cooperation holds great potential. The C-390 Millennium is more than an aircraft — it is a symbol of technological ambition and a mutual commitment to safeguarding sovereignty while advancing aerospace innovation.

With its unmatched performance, operational flexibility, and proven track record, the C-390 Millennium is well-positioned to support India’s modernization goals, enhance its rapid-response capabilities, and contribute to the nation’s strategic readiness for decades to come.

For Embraer, the mission goes beyond delivering platforms — it’s about building enduring partnerships, enabling self-reliance, and co-creating solutions that meet the evolving demands of modern defense. As the skies over India and Brazil continue to open to new opportunities, Embraer stands ready to be a trusted partner in shaping the next chapter of this strategic relationship.