India – Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with Adani Defence & Aerospace, India’s largest private aerospace and defence conglomerate, to establish a regional transport aircraft ecosystem in India. The agreement marks a significant milestone in strengthening India’s aviation industrial base, aligning with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) initiative and the regional connectivity objectives under UDAN.

• The partnership will focus on the development of an aircraft assembly line in India for Embraer’s regional jets, with a phased indigenization roadmap to build a sustainable manufacturing ecosystem.

• Scope includes aircraft manufacturing, aftermarket services, supply chain development, and pilot training infrastructure, supported by Adani’s end-to-end aviation footprint and Embraer’s engineering and product legacy.

• The initiative aims to create high-skill employment across engineering, logistics, maintenance, and training sectors, boosting India’s capabilities in the civil aerospace domain.

• The collaboration underscores the strategic aviation relationship between Brazil and India and positions Embraer’s E-Jet family—particularly the E175 and E195-E2—as key platforms for India’s regional aviation growth.

• Embraer currently supports nearly 50 aircraft in India, spanning commercial, defence, and business aviation, including the AEW&C Netra platform based on its ERJ145 used by the Indian Air Force, and 13 E175/ERJ145 aircraft in operation with Star Air.

• Adani Defence & Aerospace operates India’s largest MRO network and an expanding pilot training platform, uniquely positioning it to drive this end-to-end ecosystem in India.

Statements

• “India is a pivotal market for Embraer… Together, we will evaluate the most viable, advanced, and efficient solutions in support of India’s RTA ambitions,” said Arjan Meijer, President and CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation.

• “Regional aviation is the backbone of economic expansion… This partnership will also strengthen strategic relations between India and Brazil,” said Jeet Adani, Director, Adani Defence & Aerospace.

• “We are shaping India’s regional transport aircraft ecosystem… generating high-skill employment and elevating India’s position in the global aerospace industry,” added Ashish Rajvanshi, President & CEO, Adani Defence & Aerospace.

Source: Embraer
Photo Credit: Embraer