Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer and India’s Mahindra Group are exploring plans to establish a dedicated maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) hub in India if the C-390 Millennium secures a contract with the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The proposed facility would support the lifecycle requirements of the Embraer C-390 Millennium, including heavy maintenance checks, component repairs, spare parts warehousing and technical training. The companies indicated that the MRO hub could also serve as a regional support center for other C-390 operators in Asia and the Middle East, strengthening India’s role in the global aerospace supply chain.
The C-390 is being offered to the IAF as a multi-mission transport aircraft capable of troop and cargo transport, aerial refueling, medical evacuation, disaster relief and humanitarian operations. If selected, the program is expected to include significant industrial collaboration, technology transfer and local manufacturing participation in line with India’s defence indigenisation objectives.
Embraer has emphasized its willingness to deepen partnerships with Indian industry, positioning the potential MRO hub as a long-term investment that would create skilled jobs and enhance domestic aerospace capabilities. Mahindra, through its aerospace and defence verticals, would play a key role in infrastructure development, operations and integration with local suppliers.
Industry analysts note that establishing an in-country MRO ecosystem would reduce aircraft downtime, lower lifecycle costs and ensure faster turnaround for fleet maintenance. It would also align with the government’s broader push to develop India as a regional aviation services hub.
A final decision on the IAF’s transport aircraft requirement is awaited, with the C-390 competing in a segment that demands high payload capacity, operational flexibility and cost efficiency. If awarded, the partnership between Embraer and Mahindra could mark a significant step in expanding India’s aerospace manufacturing and maintenance footprint.
