Embraer eyes growth in India with local subsidiary
May 30, 2025
With India’s aviation sector transforming and growing at pace Embraer is eyeing its own expansion in the region as it confirms plans to establish a subsidiary in India by the end of Q2 2025.
The Brazilian manufacturer’s move to open a corporate office in AeroCity, New Delhi and expand its footprint in India will enable it to tap into the country’s robust aviation and defence industry, strengthen its supply chain and support the emerging urban air mobility sector. It will also enable it to broaden its reach and meet tactical transport aircraft demand across the wider South Asia region.
Building on plans announced earlier this year
The establishment of a local presence builds on an earlier announcement in February of this year and follows the signing of an MoU with Mahindra Defence Systems in February 2024, with whom the company is offering its flagship C-390 Millennium multi-mission transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force.
The subsidiary will provide engineering services, undertake strategic sourcing, and handle service and spares support as well as business development.
Describing India as a “key market for Embraer,” Francisco Gomes Neto, President and CEO, said, “we are excited to deepen our collaboration with the Indian aerospace and defence industry, leveraging our expertise and technology to contribute to the nation’s growth and Make in India’ campaign.”
Embraer currently has around 50 Embraer aircraft and 11 aircraft types operating in the country. The establishment of a subsidiary will enable the company to grow its team in the country, build capacity and establish specialised divisions focused on procurement, supply chain and engineering.
Regional connectivity
With India recognised globally as one of the fastest-growing aviation markets with rising passenger traffic, Embraer plans to tap into this market and capture demand for smaller, efficient jets. Its E-Jets family of regional and small narrowbody aircraft will help unlock India’s ‘blue ocean’ or uncontested market spaces opportunities found in tier two and tier three cities.
The E-Jets and particularly the E175 and E195-E2 models are well-suited to support India’s Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme, which aims to enhance regional air connectivity with affordable, accessible air links to underserved and unserved regions.
Bengaluru-based Star Air, which operates an all-Embraer operator of E175 and ERJ145 aircraft, has already played a key role in improving and expanding regional connectivity in India.
Additionally, business charter operator, GMR Aviation, has incorporated Embraer executive jets into its fleet, including the Legacy 600.
Embraer’s presence in India is further bolstered by its defence collaborations. The Indian Air Force already operates the Legacy 600 aircraft to transport government officials and VIPs, as well as the ‘Netra’ Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft based on the Embraer ERJ145 platform. The establishment of a local footprint will further bolster Embraer’s positioning to tap into India’s rapidly growing aerospace and defence ecosystem and enhance its competitiveness in South Asia.
