Embraer sets sights on India with 200-jet order target for local assembly

Brazilian aerospace giant Embraer is seeking “firm orders for 200 plus” aircraft from Indian carriers as a prerequisite to establishing a final assembly line (FAL) for commercial jets in the country. If the target is not reached immediately, the company plans to begin with a “completion centre,” where aircraft flown in from Brazil would be painted, fitted with seats, and undergo interior work before delivery to local customers, reported TOI.

Embarking on its first major India push since signing a memorandum of understanding with the Adani Group last month, Embraer president and CEO Francisco Gomes Neto outlined his strategy for the country.

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“Being the fastest growing aviation market globally, a big economy, expanding airport network and PM Modi's successful UDAN scheme giving a filip to regional flights, India will need at least 500 regional jets in coming years. As far as Embraer goes, we need a firm order of 200 jets for the FAL here to be viable and feasible. The same can come up in 24 months of starting work. So if we get the orders this year, the FAL will be ready to roll out jets in 2028,” Gomes Neto told TOI.

Pursuing Air India and IndiGo orders

To secure the necessary orders, Gomes Neto will meet decision-makers at leading Indian aviation players, including Tata Group’s Air India on Friday, with a meeting with IndiGo planned in the coming days. Embraer intends to assemble its 76–88 seater E175 regional jets in India, suitable for short- to medium-haul flights. Currently, eight E175 jets operate with Star Air, and one is in the Reliance Industries fleet. Adani Group is scouting potential sites for the FAL, with Dholera in Gujarat emerging as the frontrunner.

“For the last one-and-a-half years we are working on having a supplier base in India to buy parts for the jets coming out of our Brazilian FAL. Most recently, we have signed an MoU with Hindalco to identify possibilities in aerospace grade aluminium raw material manufacturing to strengthen our commitment to 'make in India'. As of now we have over 15 supply chain partners in India,” Gomes Neto said.

Expanding footprint beyond Brazil and the US

Currently, Embraer has FALs in Brazil for both defense and commercial jets, and in the US for business jets, with some parts manufactured in Portugal. “We are coming to India primarily to serve the Indian market. Once we are here (meaning the FAL is set up), we will look to meet the requirement of nearby markets from India. Expanding production capacity is in our interest and given India's potential, expecting firm orders for 200 jets is very reasonable,” he added.

The company plans to build a full ecosystem in India, including maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), pilot training, and a full flight simulator. Embraer is pursuing a similar approach in defense, planning an MRO facility for the C-390 Millennium once selected in the Indian Air Force’s medium transport aircraft programme.