Embraer eyes bigger manufacturing footprint in India, looks to deepen local sourcing

Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer is looking to deepen its manufacturing presence in India, with plans to source more from local companies and integrate them into its global aerospace supply chain as the planemaker expands its footprint beyond aircraft sales in the country.

The push was discussed during meetings between Embraer's Global Head of Government Relations Jose Serrador Neto and Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.

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Naidu said he was pleased to hear about Embraer's "Make in India" plans, pointing to growing confidence among global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in India's aerospace ecosystem and the increasing role of Indian companies in international aviation supply chains.

Goyal's office said discussions with Embraer centred on the company's plans to expand its manufacturing footprint in India and strengthen the domestic aerospace ecosystem. The plans are aligned with the government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and its broader ambition to establish India as a global manufacturing hub.

Embraer's India ambitions have increasingly moved beyond selling aircraft. The Brazilian planemaker has been exploring local supplier partnerships, engineering work, maintenance capabilities and the possibility of assembling aircraft in the country.

As part of that effort, the company has been evaluating Indian capabilities across aerostructure assembly, machining, metal forming, composites and wiring systems, as well as hardware and software development. It is also looking at ways to bring more Indian suppliers into its global manufacturing network.

Several partnerships have already emerged from the localisation push. Embraer signed a memorandum of understanding with Hindalco Industries to explore the production of aerospace-grade aluminium in India.

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Mahindra has also entered Embraer's supply chain through its partnership with Spain-based Aernnova, while Bharat Forge has secured a contract to supply forged products to the aircraft manufacturer.

Embraer is simultaneously exploring a larger manufacturing presence in India's civil aviation market. The company has partnered with AdDefence & Aerospace to examine the possibility of establishing a final assembly line in India for its E175 regional jet.

The proposed partnership goes beyond aircraft assembly and includes developing a local supply chain, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities, aftermarket services and pilot training infrastructure.

The latest discussions with the Indian government signal Embraer's growing focus on using India not only as a market for its aircraft but also as a manufacturing and sourcing base, potentially giving Indian aerospace companies a bigger role in the planemaker's global production network.