Brazilian aerospace major Embraer has inaugurated its India office and signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement with the Mahindra Group to advance the C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The launch event was attended by Brazil’s Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, Defence Minister Jose Mucio, India’s Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu, and Brazil’s Ambassador to India Kenneth Felix Haczynski da Nobrega. The new agreement builds upon a Memorandum of Understanding signed in February 2024, and seeks to establish India as a hub for the C-390 Millennium programme. The partnership encompasses joint marketing, industrialisation, local manufacturing, assembly, supply chain integration, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations. Both Embraer and Mahindra will work closely with India’s defence and aerospace ecosystem to identify opportunities for localisation and operational collaboration. Embraer also plans to expand its footprint in India by developing procurement, engineering, and supply chain capabilities, reinforcing its long-term strategy to tap into India’s aerospace and defence sector while aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. “Embraer’s investment underscores our commitment to strengthen partnerships with India’s aerospace industry, enhance local manufacturing, and promote self-reliance,” said Francisco Gomes Neto, President & CEO of Embraer. “We aim to bring technology, innovation, and operational excellence to help India evolve as a global aviation hub.” The collaboration with Mahindra represents a significant milestone in building a domestic ecosystem for military aircraft manufacturing and support. Through a focus on local capacity building, industrialisation, and MRO, the partnership aims to serve both domestic and regional defence needs. This strategic initiative places Embraer and Mahindra at the forefront of India’s defence aviation modernisation, strengthening technology transfer, industrial growth, and the development of specialised aerospace manufacturing and service capabilities.