Brazilian Aerospace Company Embraer in talks with Indian Air Force over C-390 Millennium

New Delhi: Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer is 'in talks' with Indian authorities over the Embraer C-390 Millennium offering, according to a report published in Financial Express on Tuesday. C-390 Millennium is a medium-size, twin-engine, jet-powered military transport aircraft. This will give the Indian Air Force significant heavy lift capabilities if inducted. It is the largest and most complicated aircraft ever built by Embraer.

The transport aircraft can carry out a range of missions, including humanitarian support, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), search and rescue, and aerial refuelling. Furthermore, it can be deployed to transport and launch cargo and troops and perform paratroopers operations.

The Government has decided to equip the IAF with the latest and most capable airlift capabilities. After the arrival of ten C-17 Globemaster aircraft, it has cleared four more, while the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) of the Ministry of Defence has accepted the IAF proposal to import 16 Chinook heavy airlift helicopters.

The twin-turbofan-powered C-390 aircraft is designed to be reconfigured in less than three hours to support different missions. It can be refuelled in flight and can be used for in-flight or on-ground refuelling of other aircraft. The 20t jet is technically advanced and has fly-by-wire technology, which optimises mission results to reduce pilot workload. It also helps increase the safety and capability for operating on short and rustic runways reports air-force technology.

The military aircraft has a cargo bay equipped with an aft ramp similar to Hercules aircraft and is capable of transporting a variety of cargo (weighing up to 26t), including armoured vehicles. It is outfitted with state-of-the-art loading and unloading systems for handling cargo.

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