Adani Aerospace & Defence has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Brazil’s Embraer to assemble commercial aircraft in India. This move is seen as an important step towards strengthening aircraft manufacturing under the government’s Make in India programme. The partnership aims to develop India as a centre for regional jet production, especially as demand for smaller aircraft continues to grow in the country’s aviation sector.

The agreement was announced at an event held at the Ministry of Civil Aviation, which was attended by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu. Through this partnership, Embraer, the world’s third-largest aircraft manufacturer after Airbus and Boeing, will be able to assemble its regional jets in India.

However, Embraer clarified that some key details of the project are still under discussion. The company said that the final location of the facility and the exact structure of the partnership have not yet been decided.

Jeet Adani, Director of Adani Defence & Aerospace, said that more clarity on the project would be available soon. “Timeline and other details will be revealed in the next couple of months. We also expect to immediately start work on the selected site parallely,” he said.

On the structure of the venture, Embraer said that discussions are continuing. “We are looking at an equal partnership, but yet to finalise the terms of the partnership,” the company said.

Beyond aircraft assembly, both companies stated that the collaboration aims to build a complete regional transport aircraft ecosystem in India. This includes aircraft manufacturing, supply chains, aftermarket services, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), and pilot training.

Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, highlighted the importance of India for the company. “India is a pivotal market for Embraer, and this partnership combines our aerospace expertise with Adani’s strong industrial capabilities and commitment to indigenisation,” he said. He further added, “Together, we will evaluate the most viable, advanced and efficient solutions in support of India’s RTA ambitions and their potential for implementation.”

Jeet Adani also spoke about the broader significance of the partnership. “Regional aviation is the backbone of economic expansion. With initiatives like UDAN transforming air connectivity across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, the need for an indigenous regional aviation ecosystem has become critical,” he said. He also noted that the collaboration would strengthen ties between India and Brazil, stating, “This partnership will also strengthen strategic relations between India and Brazil, bringing complementary capabilities together.”

Ashish Rajvanshi, President and CEO of Adani Defence & Aerospace, said that the partnership goes beyond assembling aircraft. “We are shaping India’s regional transport aircraft ecosystem, a bold stride toward Aatmanirbhar aviation that bridges urban-rural divides, generates high-skill employment, and elevates India’s position in the global aerospace industry,” he said.

The companies also outlined the main focus areas of the deal. These include aircraft manufacturing with assembly lines, testing and delivery systems; building a commercial aviation ecosystem with supply chains, MRO and pilot training; and deeper localisation through manufacturing of parts and sub-components in India.

During the event, Civil Aviation Secretary Sameer Kumar Sinha spoke about the rapid growth of India’s aviation sector. “India today is among the fastest civil aviation markets in the world. Airport infrastructure has expanded rapidly, and passenger and cargo traffic have grown steadily,” he said.

He also emphasised the role of the UDAN scheme in improving connectivity. “The UDAN scheme has been a key driver of this change. It has revived unserved and underserved airports,” he said.

Sinha pointed out that the partnership fits into a larger growth story of Indian aviation. “Indian carriers have placed orders for over 1,800 aircraft, reflecting a strong growth story,” he said. Calling the MoU significant, he added, “Today’s MoU has great significance. The partnership between Embraer and Adani is a decisive step forward.”

He further explained the broader objective of the collaboration. “This collaboration is not merely about assembling aircraft. It is about creating a robust domestic supply chain and about positioning India as a trusted hub for manufacturing regional aircraft,” Sinha said.

Embraer already has a presence in India’s aviation ecosystem. The company currently operates around 50 aircraft across 11 variants in the country, serving the Indian Air Force, government agencies and regional airline Star Air.

The Brazilian aerospace company has also proposed its C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force under the Medium Transport Aircraft programme in partnership with the Mahindra Group under the Make in India initiative.

Earlier, Embraer had forecast that India would need at least 500 aircraft in the 80–140 seat category over the next 20 years. Aditya Shekhar, Regional Vice President – Sales at Embraer, said, “The E-Jets family can transform and grow regional connectivity from tier-two and tier-three cities in India, tapping into ‘blue ocean’ opportunities.”

As part of its expansion plans, Embraer will showcase the E195-E2 and E175 aircraft at Wings India 2026, which begins on January 28.