New Delhi: Brazil-based aerospace manufacturer Embraer has received a boost to its international standing following Greece’s decision to acquire KC-390 Millennium military transport aircraft. The development could add momentum to the company’s partnership with India’s Mahindra Group as the two firms compete for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme.
On November 2, 2026, Greece formalised an agreement with Portugal for the procurement of three KC-390 aircraft, with an option to acquire three more. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2027. The deal adds Greece to the growing list of European countries selecting the aircraft, which includes Portugal, the Netherlands, Austria, Hungary, Sweden and the Czech Republic.
The KC-390 has also attracted operators and interest from countries such as Brazil, South Korea, Uzbekistan, the UAE and Colombia. With a payload capacity of around 26 tonnes, the aircraft is designed for multiple roles, including cargo and troop transport, aerial refuelling and medical evacuation. Its expanding international presence strengthens its position as an alternative to established tactical transport platforms such as the C-130 Hercules.
For Embraer and Mahindra, the growing global customer base could improve confidence in the aircraft’s operational maturity, long-term support and upgrade prospects. However, international orders alone are unlikely to determine the outcome of India’s procurement competition.
The IAF is looking to acquire approximately 60 to 80 medium transport aircraft to strengthen its airlift and logistics capabilities. The programme is expected to be shaped significantly by the government’s Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, making domestic manufacturing and technology transfer important considerations alongside aircraft performance.
The Embraer-Mahindra partnership has indicated its commitment to local production. In October 2026, the companies identified Nagpur in Maharashtra as the proposed location for a Final Assembly Line (FAL), subject to securing the Indian contract. Reports have also indicated that the state government has allocated land for the proposed facility.
The planned manufacturing ecosystem is expected to go beyond aircraft assembly. It could include systems integration, manufacturing engineering and the development of an Indian supplier network. Embraer also aims to bring domestic aerospace companies into its global KC-390 supply chain, potentially creating opportunities for India in maintenance, repair and overhaul services.
The aircraft’s operational suitability will remain another major consideration for the IAF. Its ability to perform in India’s varied climatic and geographical conditions, particularly at high-altitude and remote airfields in the Himalayan region, will be closely assessed.
Greece’s procurement decision provides an international endorsement of the KC-390 and could strengthen its commercial and technological credentials. However, the decisive factors in India’s MTA competition are likely to include operational performance, the extent of technology transfer, domestic manufacturing commitments and the ability to establish a sustainable local aerospace supply chain.
For the Embraer-Mahindra consortium, the challenge will therefore be to demonstrate not only that the aircraft meets the IAF’s operational requirements, but also that it can be manufactured, maintained and supported substantially within India.
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