Brazil’s Embraer eyes mega transport aircraft deal with IAF

Brazilian aerospace company Embraer said that if it wins the contract to build the C-390 Millennium planes, it will set up an assembly line in India to meet the Indian Air Force’s need for medium transport aircraft. The IAF is planning to replace its aging fleet of AN32 aircraft with 40 to 80 medium transport aircraft.

Under the condition of anonymity, the officials said that the C-130J from US aerospace company Lockheed Martin, the C-390 Millennium from Brazil’s Embraer Defence and Security, and the A-400M aircraft from Europe will compete for the Indian order. This order is anticipated to involve technology transfer and the establishment of a manufacturing line in India for high-level localization.

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The 18 to 30-tonne cargo-carrying capacity range is where the IAF is looking for a new transport aircraft. Joao Bosco Costa Junior, president and chief executive officer of Embraer Defence and Security, stated that the company is in discussions with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and certain Indian private firms to examine potential collaboration opportunities to bid for the programme.

The company was setting the framework for a proposal on the IAF order and was in discussions with regional businesses about a potential partnership to submit a bid for the project. The Air Force asked original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) earlier this year for information regarding the aircraft they could provide. The C-390 was on exhibit during the February Aero India 2023 event in Bengaluru.

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The “Single Stage-Two Bid System” must be followed by bidder companies when submitting their offers. In two separate sealed envelopes, each vendor must submit a “Request for Proposal” that combines both technical and commercial bids. The shelf life of the promotional offers must be at least 18 months. A Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) will assess the technical offers to ensure they are in compliance with the RFP.

Vendors who have equipment that has been approved then go through a “No Cost No Commitment” trial examination in India. To establish whether the equipment is suitable for adoption, a staff review and field assessments are both used in the evaluation process.

Embraer’s aspiration to secure the contract for building the C-390 Millennium planes for the Indian Air Force has prompted discussions about potential collaboration with Indian partners. The competitive bidding process involves technical and commercial evaluations, field trials, and ultimately, the selection of the most cost-effective vendor. This initiative signifies a significant step towards enhancing India’s medium transport aircraft capabilities.