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medium to heavy tactical transport · in_productionIndicative

Embraer C-390 Millennium

Industrial scope not yet contracted. Targeted levels: L1 (assembly) to L2 (component manufacturing) for structural and avionics sub-assemblies. Engine and FADEC remain L0.

Specifications
26 t payload2,800 km range870 km/h cruise36,000 ft ceiling2 × International Aero Engines V2500-E5 turbofan, 31,360 lbf eachNot applicable — turbofan-powered
Maker: Embraer Defense & Security (Brazil)
Indian partner: Mahindra Defence · Indian industrial partner under MoU (Feb 2024, deepened Oct 2025); Tier-1 supplier scope and FAL location under negotiation
Country of origin: Brazil
Role: Tactical and strategic airlift, troop transport, cargo (including vehicles), aerial refuelling (KC-390 variant), MEDEVAC, search and rescue
Range: Ferry range approximately 6,100 km with auxiliary tanks; tactical radius approximately 1,800 km with 14 t payload.
Payload: Maximum payload 26,000 kg; up to 80 troops or 74 litters.
Why it matters for India

Contender in the open IAF Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) competition, alongside the Lockheed Martin C-130J. The Defence Procurement Board has cleared a 60-aircraft MTA requirement, and a formal tender had not been released as of mid-2026 — the IAF has not selected a platform. Embraer's documented Indian industrial partner is Mahindra Defence (MoU February 2024 at the Embassy of Brazil, New Delhi; strategic-alliance scope deepened October 2025). No Embraer–HAL MoU exists. The programme is intended to absorb part of the An-32 replacement requirement.

Indian production status

No production committed to India as of mid-2026. Embraer and Mahindra Defence signed a strategic-alliance MoU (Feb 2024, deepened Oct 2025) covering industrial cooperation, FAL options and MRO scope. The IAF MTA competition remains open — the C-390 is a contender, not a selected platform.

Localization depth · 3 systems
  • V2500-E5 turbofan engineL0 · ImportedIndicative
    V2500-E5 imported complete. Any Indian industrial scope is contingent on the IAF MTA competition outcome.
  • Fly-by-wire primary flight control system; FBW actuatorsL0 · ImportedIndicative
    Indian industry has FBW experience on Tejas (fighter FBW). Transport-category FBW actuator manufacture is a strategic gap with no committed Indian supplier.
  • Wing-fuselage fairing, control surfaces, empennage composite partsL0 · ImportedIndicative
    Composite primary structure on C-390 is significant. TASL Hyderabad and TLMAL Hyderabad have composite capacity for fighter and rotorcraft; reconfiguration for transport-category composite primary structure not announced.
Import dependencies · 5
System architecture · 5 records
  • Propulsion → Engine → International Aero Engines V2500-E5 turbofan (commercial V2500-A5 military derivative)importedIndicative
    Primary propulsion — generates thrust
  • Propulsion → Engine Control → FADEC — electronic engine control (EEC)importedIndicative
    Digital control of fuel flow, engine scheduling, thrust management
  • Avionics → Glass Cockpit / Mission System → Two-pilot glass cockpit; 6 × large-area displays; FMS; tactical mission computerimportedIndicative
    Provides primary flight, navigation, and tactical mission data to the crew
  • Flight Controls → Primary Flight Control → Fly-by-wire primary flight control system; aileron, elevator, rudder, spoiler, horizontal stabiliser trimimportedIndicative
    Pilot control of aircraft attitude and trajectory; envelope-protected
  • Airframe Structure → Composite Primary Structure → Wing-fuselage fairing, control surfaces, empennage composite parts; rear ramp doorimportedIndicative
    Light-weight primary and secondary structure
Programme milestones · 4
  • 2026-06-01IAF MTA competition open — C-390 and C-130J in the race; formal tender not yet releasedplanned
  • 2024-02-01Embraer–Mahindra Defence strategic-alliance MoUdelivered
  • MTA contract signature (projected — tender not yet released)planned
  • 2029-01-01First aircraft delivery (projection, contingent on MTA award)planned
MRO · 3
  • Mahindra Defence — proposed C-390 industrial and MRO scope under the Embraer–Mahindra strategic allianceTBD (under negotiation; candidate Mahindra aerospace facilities) · Planned — no C-390 in IAF service; the C-390 is a contender in the open MTA competition (mid-2026) and the Embraer–Mahindra strategic-alliance MoU (Feb 2024, deepened Oct 2025) covers MRO scope.Indicative
    Planned depot MRO capability for a future C-390 fleet; component repair; engine MRO under IAE partnership (long-cycle)
  • IAE (potential India-based V2500-E5 engine MRO partnership)TBD · Not established in India — V2500-E5 engine MRO performed abroad.Indicative
    Planned engine MRO for the V2500-E5 engine; currently performed at IAE partner facilities abroad
  • Air India Engineering Services Limited (AIESL)Mumbai (corporate); MRO facilities at Delhi, Mumbai, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram · Active; commercial MRO services. Adjacent capability for military cross-over.
    Commercial aircraft MRO — Airbus A320 family, Boeing 737 family, Boeing 777, Boeing 787. Engine MRO for CFM56, V2500 (commercial), GEnx. Provides commercial MRO experience that could anchor military V2500-E5 MRO.
Sources · 2
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