'Can set up final assembly line in India if get order for 200 planes:' Embraer

NEW DELHI: Brazilian aerospace major Embraer says it will increase sourcing from India and even assembling its range of commercial planes here if it gets a firm order for 200 aircraft from Indian customers. While as of now only India’s biggest regional airline Star Air has Embrear aircraft in its fleet, the company is talking to multiple airlines including Air India and IndiGo apart from startups for getting orders. It has established a fully owned Indian subsidiary that will have a dedicated sourcing unit to scout for opportunities in IT, software and engineering.

“India is a key market for Embraer. We are excited to deepen our collaboration with the Indian aerospace and defence industry, leveraging our expertise and technology to contribute to the nation’s growth and Make in India campaign. We see significant opportunities across defence, commercial aviation, business aviation, services & support, and the emerging urban air mobility sector,” said Francisco Gomes Neto, president & CEO of Embraer.

Embraer has a footprint with nearly 50 aircraft across 11 aircraft types currently operating in the country, from commercial aviation, defence and business aviation.

“We are in talks with multiple players. A firm order for 200 aircraft will enable us to increase sourcing and have a final assembly line in India . There is a vast market for our capacity aircraft that ranges from 80 to 146 seaters with a significant range, unlike turboprops. We believe India will require 500 such aircraft in the next 20 years,” Raul Villaron, Embraer senior VP, said.

The company’s Indian subsidiary, with its corporate office in New Delhi’s AeroCity, will look for opportunities across defence, commercial aviation, business aviation, services & support and urban air mobility sector.

“Embraer is working on growing its team in the country, building capacity to capitalise on the opportunities within the country’s ever-evolving aerospace and defence industry. This includes establishing teams across corporate functions and specialiced cells focused on procurement, supply chain and engineering,” Embrear said in a statement.

Embraer Defense & Security and Mahindra Defence Systems had signed an MoU last Feb “to evaluate the opportunity to jointly pursue the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program with the C-390 Millennium.”

“On the commercial aviation front, the E-Jets family of regional and small narrowbody aircraft (can) unlock ‘blue ocean’ opportunities found in tier two and tier three cities and contributing to India's aspirations of becoming a leading global aviation hub,” the statement added.