As India moves closer to a major defence procurement decision, Brazilian aerospace major Embraer has stepped forward with an ambitious proposal to supply up to 80 military transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force. The company is offering its KC-390 Millennium as a next-generation tactical airlifter and positioning India as a future production hub for the Asia-Pacific region.
KC-390 Millennium Projected as New Global Benchmark
In an exclusive interaction, Embraer President and CEO Francisco Gomes Neto described the KC-390 Millennium as a multi-mission workhorse and a new global benchmark in tactical airlift capability.He highlighted that the aircraft has been selected by nine European nations, including NATO members such as Sweden, the Netherlands, and Portugal. According to Neto, the KC-390 is emerging as a strategic counter to the long-standing dominance of the C-130 platform in the global tactical airlift segment.
The KC-390 Millennium is positioned as a new generation transport and aerial refueling aircraft, designed for interoperability among modern air forces.
India May Become Production Hub for Asia-Pacific
Embraer has outlined a long-term industrial roadmap tied to the Indian contract. If selected, the company plans to establish India as its primary production hub to serve not only domestic demand but also other markets in the Asia-Pacific region.The proposed production line in India would support regional demand, while the company is also exploring the establishment of an exclusive Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul hub for KC-390 operators in the region.
Neto emphasized that the partnership would extend beyond defence into civilian aerospace, signaling a broader and long-term engagement with India.
IAF’s Medium Transport Aircraft Requirement
In 2022, the Indian Air Force issued a Request for Information for medium transport aircraft to replace its aging Soviet-era AN-32 and IL-76 fleet. The procurement involves around 80 aircraft and is expected to receive clearance from the Defence Acquisition Council in the coming months.Apart from the KC-390 Millennium, other contenders in the race include Airbus Defence and Space with its A-400M and Lockheed Martin offering the C-130 J Super Hercules. The Indian Air Force already operates 12 C-130 J Super Hercules aircraft.
In February 2024, Embraer partnered with Mahindra to jointly bid for the Medium Transport Aircraft program.
KC-390 vs C-130 J Super Hercules: Performance Comparison
Embraer is emphasizing the technological edge of the KC-390 over rival platforms.Unlike the turboprop powered C-130 J Super Hercules, the KC-390 is jet-powered. It offers a 26-ton payload compared to the 20-ton capability of the C-130 J. The aircraft cruises at 470 knots and is capable of operating from short and unpaved runways.
Neto stated that the KC-390 is 25 to 30 percent faster than the C-130 J and offers lower operational costs due to its jet-powered configuration. He also noted that more than 50 percent of the aircraft’s equipment is American, describing it as a true 21st-century airlifter.
According to Embraer, the aircraft bridges the gap between heavy lifters and smaller transport planes, offering greater load capacity, higher speed, and extended range. The company maintains that fewer aircraft would be required to perform equivalent missions.
Civil Aviation Expansion Through E175 Final Assembly Line
Parallel to its defence push, Embraer is also advancing its footprint in India’s civilian aviation sector.The company and Adani Defence and Aerospace have exchanged an enhanced Memorandum of Understanding to establish a Final Assembly Line for the E175 regional jet under India’s Regional Transport Aircraft program.
The development builds upon the initial MoU signed in January 2026 and forms part of a broader roadmap to create an integrated RTA ecosystem in India. The partnership aims to cover aircraft manufacturing, supply chain development, after-market services, pilot training, and order acquisition to support the proposed assembly line.
Strategic Timing Amid India-Brazil Engagement
Francisco Gomes Neto was in New Delhi as part of the delegation accompanying Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. He described the KC-390 proposal as aligned with the evolving India-Brazil engagement, calling it a forward-looking choice between new-generation platforms and legacy aircraft launched many years ago.Embraer also indicated that it would strive to maximize indigenous content in the aircraft if selected, reinforcing its intent to deepen industrial collaboration with India across defence and civil aerospace domains.
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