Embraer, Northrop Grumman, Mahindra Advance C-390 Capabilities

EMBRAER has announced a plan to partner with Northrop Grumman Corporation on to evolve the KC-390 Millenium to provide advanced tanking capabilities and another initiative with Mahindra Group on establishing a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) capability in India for the C-390 upon the aircraft’s selection in the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme.

“Northrop Grumman, together with Embraer, is making strategic investments to address the gap in advanced air mobility solutions globally. We’re listening to our customers, particularly in allied nations who seek greater operational autonomy and efficiency, and we’re exploring new technologies that will increase the versatility of the proven KC-390 platform and deliver that greater operational independence our customers need,” said Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems Corporate Vice President and President Tom Jones.

Embraer Defense & Security President and CEO Bosco da Costa Junior added, “Together, we will leverage the strengths of two leaders in the defence industry, with a focus on developing a boom refuelling system for the KC-390 Millennium so that we can bring the right capability to the US Department of War and other allied nations. The KC-390 is an operationally proven and cost-effective platform that could quickly be added to the USAF inventory.”

Both firms will leverage their extensive expertise and experience in the design, development and production of aircraft with industry-leading systems integrations as well as manufacturing capabilities to rapidly advance the initiatives required to deliver a next generation air-refuelling system for the KC-390.

This collaboration sets the stage for the development of the KC-390 Multi-Mission Tanker for US and allied air forces and shapes the requirements for future aerial logistics architectures. Key features will include an advanced autonomous aerial refuelling boom, enhanced communications, situational awareness and survivability options, as well as adaptable mission systems. These improvements will expand the range of aircraft supported by KC-390 refuelling operations and broaden its mission scope in operational environments.

Embraer and Mahindra signed a strategic cooperation agreement (SCA) in October 2025 to produce the C-390 in India, aiming to support the IAF’s MTA programme upon the aircraft’s selection in the programme.

Embraer has a longstanding presence in India, with nearly 50 aircraft across 11 different types currently in operation in the country in commercial, defence, and business aviation roles. In the defence segment, the ERJ145 platform serves as the basis for the IAF’s ‘Netra’ Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, while the Legacy 600 is operated by the IAF and the Border Security Force (BSF) for the transportation of government officials and VIPs.

The proposed MRO facility will provide comprehensive in‑country maintenance and sustainment for the C‑390 fleet, supporting high levels of operational readiness and availability. The initiative reinforces the companies’ joint commitment to positioning the C‑390 as a strong solution for India’s future medium transport aircraft requirements. The proposed MRO capability is expected to deliver a full spectrum of services, including base and heavy maintenance, structural inspections and testing, component repair and overhaul, avionics support, and training. 

Embraer Services & Support President and CEO Carlos Naufel elaborated that “Embraer and Mahindra, intends to expand collaboration with Indian aerospace companies to drive higher localisation of C-390 and also to support MRO activities, reinforcing our commitment to the Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and the vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat. In addition to fleet support, this new facility could create high‑skill employment and further contribute to the integration of Indian companies into Embraer’s global supply chain.”

While the primary objective of the MRO is to support the IAF fleet, Embraer is also evaluating the potential for India to serve as a regional MRO hub, providing sustainment services for other C-390 Millennium operators in the future.

The C‑390 offers a payload capacity of up to 26 tonnes capable of higher speed and further range compared to other medium‑sized military transport aircraft and able to perform a wide range of missions, including cargo and troop transport, airdrop operations, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian missions. The aircraft can operate from temporary or unpaved runways and may be configured for air‑to‑air refuelling, both as a tanker and as a receiver. The in‑service fleet has demonstrated a mission completion rate above 99 percent, highlighting its productivity and reliability.

The C-390 has been selected by the air forces of Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, South Korea, Uzbekistan, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Slovakia and Lithuania.-shp/adj/dl (Pix:EMBRAER)