Embraer Defense & Security holds C-390 Millennium Day in India

The event provided insights on Embraer’s efforts to support India’s government initiative of Make in India and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India).

“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.”

Earlier this year, the Indian Air Force issued a Request For Information for a new fleet of Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) aircraft which Embraer has responded to, offering the C-390 Millennium as the platform of choice.

The C-390 Millennium was on display at AeroIndia in February 2023 where guests toured the modern military tactical transport aircraft. Its multi-mission platform offers incomparable mobility, combining high productivity and operating flexibility with low operating costs, which is an unbeatable combination.

The C-390 can carry more payload (26 tons) compared to other medium-sized military cargo aircraft and flies faster (470 knots) and farther, 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. In its refuelling version, 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.

Since entering operation with FAB in 2019, the C-390 has proven its capacity, reliability, and performance. The current fleet of six aircraft, all in the aerial refuelling version, designated KC-390, has already accumulated more than 9,500 flight hours. Recent figures show an operational availability of around 80%, with a mission completion rate above 99%, demonstrating exceptional productivity in the category. The C-390 Millennium has orders from Portugal and Hungary, both NATO member countries. The Netherlands, also a member of NATO, selected the C-390 Millennium in 2022. 

Embraer has an established presence in India with around 40 aircraft, across the fields of defence, commercial aviation and executive aviation.