Embraer and Adani Defence & Aerospace announce strategic partnership

Plan to establish aircraft assembly line in India

Brazilian aircraft manufacturer has signed a deal with Adani Defence & Aerospace to explore manufacturing, assembly and support infrastructure for regional transport aircraft.

Embraer, a leading Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, and Adani Defence & Aerospace, a subsidiary of the Adani Group, have announced a strategic partnership to build a regional transport aircraft (RTA) ecosystem in India, signalling a renewed push toward indigenous aircraft manufacturing and regional air connectivity.

In a press statement, Embraer says that the two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore collaboration across aircraft assembly, supply chains, maintenance and repair operations (MRO), pilot training, and aftermarket services.

The statement adds that the partnership is positioned around India’s proposed Regional Transport Aircraft programme and aligns with the government’s policies which aim to improve air connectivity to Tier II and Tier III cities.

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Under the proposed framework, Embraer and Adani Defence plan to establish an aircraft assembly line in India, followed by a phased increase in indigenisation.

The statement adds that India has long discussed the need for a domestically produced regional aircraft to reduce dependence on foreign manufacturers and support short-haul routes that are often commercially unviable for larger jets. The collaboration seeks to address this gap by combining Embraer’s experience in regional aircraft design and manufacturing with Adani’s expanding footprint across India’s aviation infrastructure.

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

“Regional aviation is the backbone of economic expansion. With initiatives like UDAN transforming air connectivity across Tier II and Tier III cities, the need for an indigenous regional aviation ecosystem has become critical. This partnership will also strengthen strategic relations between India and Brazil, bringing complementary capabilities together,” says Jeet Adani, Director, Adani Defence & Aerospace.

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“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,” says Ashish Rajvanshi, President & CEO, Adani Defence & Aerospace.

The companies say the proposed ecosystem is intended to serve domestic demand while also creating employment across engineering, manufacturing, logistics, and support services. While no timelines or aircraft configurations have been announced, the focus appears to be on establishing an end-to-end industrial base rather than limited assembly operations.

Embraer says that it has already an operational footprint in India. Nearly 50 Embraer aircraft across 11 variants are currently in service in the country, spanning commercial, defence, and business aviation. The Indian Air Force operates Embraer platforms including the Legacy 600 and the ‘Netra’ airborne early warning and control aircraft based on the ERJ145. In the civil aviation sector, Star Air operates a fleet of E175 and ERJ145 aircraft on regional routes.

Adani Defence & Aerospace, meanwhile, has positioned itself as a major private-sector player in India’s defence and aerospace manufacturing landscape. Its portfolio spans aircraft systems, unmanned platforms, avionics, weapons, and sustainment, alongside what it describes as the country’s largest MRO ecosystem and a growing pilot training network.