Pic credit: SA Defensa/X, This rendering does show off the underwing refueling pods not seen in other renderings.
Last year Embraer announced its partnership with Mahindra, this year the Brazilian aerospace company Embraer has put on display its KC-390 Millennium transport aircraft at Aero India, Asia’s largest airshow, happening in Bengaluru from February 10 to 14. This move comes at a time when the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) plans to procure up to 80 Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA).
Embraer’s Plans for India
Embraer has identified the Indian Air Force’s MTA program as a major opportunity, positioning the KC-390 as a leading choice. Partnering with Indian conglomerate Mahindra since February 2024, Embraer aims to establish an extensive local supply chain. If selected, the plan may include setting up an assembly line in India and implementing a long-term support program to align with the Make in India vision.
India is expected to issue a formal tender for MTA procurement once the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, grants its Acceptance of Necessity (AoN). The AoN is the first step under India’s defense procurement framework before acquiring military equipment.
The IAF had sought information from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for the MTA program two years ago, setting the stage for one of the country’s most significant defense procurements.
Competing for the MTA contract alongside Embraer are U.S. firm Lockheed Martin with its C-130J Super Hercules and European manufacturer Airbus Defence and Space with its A-400M. While the C-130J is already part of the IAF fleet, the A-400M will also be showcased at the event.
This three-way competition aligns with India’s Make in India initiative, aimed at enhancing self-reliance in defense manufacturing. The IAF seeks a transport aircraft with a cargo capacity between 18 to 30 tonnes to meet its operational requirements. The KC-390 offers a 26-tonne payload capacity, compared to the C-130J’s 20 tonnes and the A-400M’s 37 tonnes.