New Delhi: Highlighting Embraer’s commitment to support India’s government initiatives of “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India), the C-390 Millennium Day concluded in New Delhi on August 29, 2023. The event was organised ahead of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s visit to the G20 Leaders’ Summit. The event brought together important players from India’s aerospace and defence industry.
“The event was a great platform to deepen engagement with the players in the industry as we strengthen the case of the C-390 Millennium for India,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, President & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. “The vibrant discussions have paved the way for us to carve a unique proposition for India and the Indian Air Force.”
Responding to the Indian Air Force’s Request For Information for a new fleet of Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA), Embraer has offered the C-390 Millennium as the preferred platform. This aircraft was showcased at Aero India in February 2023, drawing attention as a modern tactical transport aircraft.
The C-390 Millennium can carry a higher payload (26 tons) compared to other medium-sized military cargo aircraft and offers exceptional mobility, combining high productivity and operational flexibility with low operating costs. The aircraft achieves faster speeds (470 knots) and can cover longer distances. Being capable of performing a wide range of missions such as transporting and dropping cargo and troops, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian missions, operating on temporary or unpaved runways such as packed earth, soil and gravel, the C-390 Millennium is a versatile aircraft.
The aircraft has already proven its aerial refuelling capacity, as well as an aircraft receiving fuel from another KC-390 using pods installed under the wings. It is the only aircraft in the world in the segment to carry out such an operation.
The C-390, since its operational debut with FAB in 2019, has proven its capacity, reliability, and performance. The current fleet of six aircraft, designated KC-390, has accumulated over 9,500 flight hours. Operational availability stands at around 80 percent, with a mission completion rate above 99 percent. Portugal, Hungary, and the Netherlands have already ordered the C-390 Millennium.
With approximately 40 aircraft across defence, commercial aviation, and executive aviation sectors, Embraer maintains a significant presence in India.
