KC-390 Pitch Targets Indian Deal

Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer is mounting an aggressive campaign for the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme, positioning its KC-390 Millennium as a cost-effective and versatile replacement for ageing transport fleets.

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At the heart of Embraer’s proposal is the claim that the KC-390 can deliver operating costs up to 30 per cent lower than the Lockheed Martin C-130J while offering greater payload capacity and higher cruising speeds. The company is also linking its bid to significant industrial benefits that could establish India as a major manufacturing and maintenance hub for the aircraft.

The MTA programme is expected to replace the Indian Air Force's ageing Antonov An-32 fleet and complement the larger Il-76 transport aircraft. Current requirements are believed to call for 40 to 80 aircraft with payload capacities ranging between 18 and 30 tonnes.