Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer has signed an MoU with Adani Aerospace and Defence to develop an integrated regional transport aircraft ecosystem in India, spanning aircraft manufacturing — including a possible final assembly line — along with aftermarket services and pilot training.
The partnership aims to establish the country’s first final assembly line for a commercial aircraft, followed by a phased increase in indigenisation, according to a joint statement. However, no timelines or locations for the proposed facilities have been disclosed.
“A resilient and sustainable aviation can’t rely only on imports. India must be part of global supply chain,” said Secretary of Ministry of Civil Aviation, S.K. Sinha at the MoU signing.
“Our security environment is marked by rapid technological change, with evolving threat perception, and increasing complexity across domains. Air, land, sea, space, and cyber. Addressing these challenges require not only capable and common, but also a strong, resilient, and globally integrated defence industrial base. And this is the core objective, driving the government of India for defence manufacturing and aerospace policy,” said Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Defence.
Adani Defence & Aerospace Director Jeet Adani said the collaboration with Embraer will lead to the establishment of a regional aircraft manufacturing facility in India. Embraer manufactures commercial jets with seating capacity of up to 150 passengers.
However, details regarding the investment outlay and the location of the proposed facility were not disclosed. With this partnership, Adani Group, which already has a strong presence in India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector, will make its entry into aircraft manufacturing in the country. Jeet Adani said a couple of sites are currently being evaluated for the manufacturing facility and a final decision is expected in the next few months.
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said this is the right time to be in India, highlighting the country’s manufacturing strength and growth potential. He noted that the demand for regional transport aircraft has never been stronger and will help address multiple connectivity challenges. The collaboration could also enable aircraft manufacturing for the larger South Asian market, Naidu said.
For Embraer, the venture with the Adani Group is expected to provide a significant boost in India’s civil aviation space, where the Brazilian major aims to enhance costcompetitiveness with its regional jets.
Adani Defence & Aerospace President and CEO Ashish Rajvanshi described the collaboration as a “watershed” in the country’s Aatma Nirbharata (self-reliance). Currently, Embraer, whose E-Jets began operations in India in 2005, has nearly 50 aircraft operating in the country, serving the Indian Air Force, Government agencies, business jet operators, and commercial airline Star Air. According to Embraer, the Indian market is projected to require at least 500 aircraft in the 80 to 146-seat segment over the next 20 years.
