Adani, Embraer to build aircraft in India
A global leader in aerospace, and Adani Defence & Aerospace, a leading player in India’s aerospace and defence sector and the flagship defence company of Adani Enterprises Ltd, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop an integrated regional transport aircraft (RTA) ecosystem in India.
Under the proposed collaboration, the two companies will explore opportunities across aircraft manufacturing, supply chain development, aftermarket services, and pilot training. The partnership aims to establish an aircraft assembly line in India, followed by a phased increase in indigenisation to support the country’s Regional Transport Aircraft programme. The initiative aligns with the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision and the UDAN scheme focused on enhancing regional air connectivity.
“India is a pivotal market for Embraer, and this partnership combines our aerospace expertise with Adani’s strong industrial capabilities and commitment to indigenisation,” said Arjan Meijer, President and CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation. “Together, we will evaluate the most viable, advanced, and efficient solutions in support of India’s RTA ambitions, and their potential for implementation.”
The potential industrial partnership will leverage Embraer’s extensive engineering and aircraft manufacturing experience alongside Adani’s end-to-end aviation value-chain presence, which includes airport infrastructure, aerospace manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, and pilot training.
“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,” said Jeet Adani, Director, Adani Defence & Aerospace. “This partnership will also strengthen strategic relations between India and Brazil, bringing complementary capabilities together.”
The proposed ecosystem is expected to cater to domestic demand while generating significant direct and indirect employment across engineering, manufacturing, logistics, and support services.
“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,” said Ashish Rajvanshi, President and CEO, Adani Defence & Aerospace.
Embraer has a long-standing and growing presence in India, with nearly 50 aircraft across 11 models currently operating in the country in commercial, defence, and business aviation segments. The Indian Air Force operates Embraer Legacy 600 aircraft and the ‘Netra’ AEW&C platform based on the ERJ145, while Star Air operates a fleet of E175 and ERJ145 aircraft.
Adani Defence & Aerospace is India’s largest integrated private defence and aerospace company, developing critical capabilities across domains in line with national security priorities and global requirements. With the country’s largest MRO ecosystem and a rapidly expanding pilot training platform, the company is strengthening India’s aviation value chain end to end, spanning aircraft, unmanned systems, avionics, weapons, and sustainment, with a focus on long-term capability development and self-reliance.
