In a major step for India’s aviation manufacturing ambitions, the Adani Group has entered into a strategic partnership with Brazil’s Embraer to produce regional jets in India for the first time. The agreement aims to boost domestic aerospace capabilities, create high-skilled jobs and reduce reliance on imported aircraft, especially in the regional connectivity sector.
A new chapter for aircraft manufacturing in India
The collaboration brings together the infrastructure and business scale of the Adani Group with the aerospace expertise of Embraer, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of commercial and executive jets. The move is seen as a significant milestone in India’s push to build a local aerospace ecosystem, as part of broader efforts to expand Make in India in high-technology sectors.
Focus on regional aircraft production
Under the proposed partnership, Adani and Embraer plan to establish facilities in India for the assembly, customization and possible future manufacture of Embraer’s family of regional jets. These aircraft, which typically seat between 70 and 130 passengers, play a crucial role in connecting smaller cities and towns that are not served by larger jet services. By producing them locally, the partners aim to make regional air travel more cost-effective and better suited to India’s fast-expanding domestic air transportation market.
Why regional jets matter for India
Regional jets have become central to the growth of domestic aviation in India, especially under the government’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, which aims to enhance connectivity to underserved airports. Affordable, fuel-efficient regional planes can significantly expand route networks, improve accessibility and encourage tourism and business travel to smaller cities.
Technology transfer and job creation
Beyond aircraft production, the partnership is expected to facilitate technology transfer, skill development and specialised training for Indian engineers and technicians. Aerospace experts note that local assembly and potential future component manufacturing could attract global aerospace supply chains to India, creating thousands of high-value jobs in engineering, design, testing and maintenance.
Strengthening India’s aerospace ecosystem
The collaboration also aligns with India’s long-term goals to develop robust capabilities in defence and civilian aerospace sectors. By working with a globally respected manufacturer like Embraer, Indian partners can gain insights into advanced production processes, quality assurance systems and international certification standards, all essential for competing in global markets.what’s next
While specific details regarding investment size, plant locations and production timelines are yet to be finalised, industry insiders say formal announcements are expected in the coming months. Analysts suggest that local production of regional jets could begin within the next few years, positioning India as a rising player in aerospace manufacturing.
This Adani-Embraer partnership marks a significant leap in India’s journey to build homegrown aviation capabilities, bringing cutting-edge aircraft production to Indian soil and setting the stage for a new era in the country’s aviation story.