Brazil may renew push for C-390 aircraft during BRICS Summit

Brazil is set to reiterate its interest in supplying the Indian Air Force with the C-390 Millennium aircraft during the upcoming BRICS Summit, according to sources. Representatives from Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer, who will be part of the delegation accompanying Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, are expected to engage with Indian government officials during the summit.

The discussions will focus on Embraer's C-390 offering and potential expansion into the regional aviation sector. The Indian defence ministry had issued a contract last August, valued at around ₹1 lakh crore, to purchase up to 60 Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) to enhance the IAF's transport capabilities. Five Indian firms - Tata Advanced Systems Limited, Mahindra Group, Adani Defence & Aerospace, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, and Reliance Defence - were named as contenders for this contract.

The IAF, the world's fourth-largest air force, is in search of a new transport aircraft with a cargo-carrying capacity ranging from 18 to 30 tonnes to cater to its expanding airlift requirements. Tata Advanced Systems Limited has partnered with US-based Lockheed Martin to present their C-130J Super Hercules aircraft for the tender, while Mahindra Group has joined forces with Embraer, proposing their C-390 Millennium aircraft.

Embraer's presence at the BRICS Summit aims to capitalize on the government's 'Make in India' initiative, which strives to bolster domestic defence manufacturing. If successful, the winning contractee will establish a production line for the aircraft within India. Moreover, in January, Embraer and Adani Defence & Aerospace signed a memorandum of understanding to manufacture aircraft in India and foster an integrated regional transport aircraft ecosystem.

This collaboration aims to develop an ecosystem supporting a Make in India E-Jet, potentially including a final assembly line for the E-175 regional jet.