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Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer says it is confident of winning India's medium military transport aircraft competition, pitching its C-390 Millennium as a more modern and cost-effective alternative for the Indian Air Force.
Speaking exclusively to CNBC-TV18, Embraer President and CEO Francisco Gomes Neto said the company is working closely with its Indian partner Mahindra to strengthen its bid for the programme.
Under its partnership with Mahindra, Embraer has proposed assembling the C-390 in India if they win the contract from the Indian Air Force, aligning the programme with the government's Make in India initiative.
"We are very confident. We know it's not easy. It's not a decided game," Gomes Neto said.
"We have a strong partner in India, Mahindra. We have a team in India already, we have an office in Delhi and all of us are working very hard to make the best offer for the Indian Air Force."
It is seen as one of the most significant military aviation opportunities in India as the country looks to modernise and expand its medium transport aircraft fleet that includes the latest order with Airbus C295, Lockheed Martin C130 J and An-32.
Gomes Neto described the Embraer C-390 as the most advanced aircraft in its category, highlighting its modern design and operational flexibility.
"The KC-390 is the best-in-class military aircraft for that segment of medium transport," he said.
According to Embraer, the aircraft's jet-powered design, fly-by-wire controls and multi-mission capability give it an advantage over competing platforms.
"It is multi-mission by design. You can change from one mission to another in a couple of hours, while other aircraft need days to change from one mission to another," Gomes Neto said.
Lower maintenance and operating costs
A key part of Embraer's pitch to India is the aircraft's lower lifecycle costs.
"The KC-390 has a kind of commercial DNA," Gomes Neto said.
"It is a military aircraft that flies a lot. So the operational and maintenance costs are much lower than the others."
said.
Local assembly with Mahindra
Gomes Neto said localisation, pricing and industrial partnerships will be important factors in the competition alongside the aircraft's technical capabilities.
"The aircraft itself is very important, but also topics such as localisation and price," he said.
There are 14 KC-390s in service, including 8 in Brazil, 4 in Portugal and 2 in Hungary.
The company has been expanding its defence footprint globally and recently secured a major order from the UAE, which signed for 10 firm KC-390 aircraft along with options for 10 more.
The aircraft is gaining strong traction in the global military transport market, with Embraer securing more than 60 firm orders and 29 on options. Countries including Portugal, Hungary, South Korea, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Sweden and the UAE have chosen the aircraft, underscoring growing confidence in the aircraft.
While geopolitical tensions have created uncertainty for commercial aviation because of higher fuel prices, Gomes Neto said they have also accelerated defence procurement programmes worldwide.
"The war brings concern to civil aviation, especially because of the fuel price rise. But it also brings opportunities for defence," he said.
For Embraer, India remains one of the most important markets as it pursues both military and commercial aviation opportunities in India.
Also Read: Japan restarts reactor at world's largest nuclear plant with fuel pools nearing capacity
Speaking exclusively to CNBC-TV18, Embraer President and CEO Francisco Gomes Neto said the company is working closely with its Indian partner Mahindra to strengthen its bid for the programme.
Under its partnership with Mahindra, Embraer has proposed assembling the C-390 in India if they win the contract from the Indian Air Force, aligning the programme with the government's Make in India initiative.
"We are very confident. We know it's not easy. It's not a decided game," Gomes Neto said.
"We have a strong partner in India, Mahindra. We have a team in India already, we have an office in Delhi and all of us are working very hard to make the best offer for the Indian Air Force."
It is seen as one of the most significant military aviation opportunities in India as the country looks to modernise and expand its medium transport aircraft fleet that includes the latest order with Airbus C295, Lockheed Martin C130 J and An-32.
Gomes Neto described the Embraer C-390 as the most advanced aircraft in its category, highlighting its modern design and operational flexibility.
"The KC-390 is the best-in-class military aircraft for that segment of medium transport," he said.
According to Embraer, the aircraft's jet-powered design, fly-by-wire controls and multi-mission capability give it an advantage over competing platforms.
"It is multi-mission by design. You can change from one mission to another in a couple of hours, while other aircraft need days to change from one mission to another," Gomes Neto said.
Lower maintenance and operating costs
A key part of Embraer's pitch to India is the aircraft's lower lifecycle costs.
"The KC-390 has a kind of commercial DNA," Gomes Neto said.
"It is a military aircraft that flies a lot. So the operational and maintenance costs are much lower than the others."
said.
Local assembly with Mahindra
Gomes Neto said localisation, pricing and industrial partnerships will be important factors in the competition alongside the aircraft's technical capabilities.
"The aircraft itself is very important, but also topics such as localisation and price," he said.
There are 14 KC-390s in service, including 8 in Brazil, 4 in Portugal and 2 in Hungary.
The company has been expanding its defence footprint globally and recently secured a major order from the UAE, which signed for 10 firm KC-390 aircraft along with options for 10 more.
The aircraft is gaining strong traction in the global military transport market, with Embraer securing more than 60 firm orders and 29 on options. Countries including Portugal, Hungary, South Korea, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Sweden and the UAE have chosen the aircraft, underscoring growing confidence in the aircraft.
While geopolitical tensions have created uncertainty for commercial aviation because of higher fuel prices, Gomes Neto said they have also accelerated defence procurement programmes worldwide.
"The war brings concern to civil aviation, especially because of the fuel price rise. But it also brings opportunities for defence," he said.
For Embraer, India remains one of the most important markets as it pursues both military and commercial aviation opportunities in India.
Also Read: Japan restarts reactor at world's largest nuclear plant with fuel pools nearing capacity
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