Adani’s Ashish Rajvanshi (L) and Embraer’s Arjan Meijer (R) signed the Embraer-Adani Group Partnership Agreement.
Embraer-Adani Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA) India: New Delhi, January 27, 2026 — Brazilian aerospace major Embraer and Adani Defence & Aerospace on Tuesday announced a strategic partnership aimed at developing a comprehensive regional transport aircraft (RTA) ecosystem in India, marking a significant step toward strengthening indigenous aerospace manufacturing and regional connectivity.
The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate across aircraft manufacturing, supply chain development, aftermarket services and pilot training. The partnership is aligned with the Indian government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and the UDAN scheme, which seeks to enhance air connectivity to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
As part of the collaboration, Embraer and Adani Defence & Aerospace will explore the establishment of an aircraft assembly line in India, followed by a phased increase in indigenisation to support the country’s Regional Transport Aircraft programme.
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Embraer-Adani Group Partnership for Regional Jets.
“India is a pivotal market for Embraer, and this partnership combines our aerospace expertise with Adani’s strong industrial capabilities and commitment to indigenisation,” said Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation. “Together, we will evaluate the most viable, advanced and efficient solutions in support of India’s RTA ambitions.”
The proposed industrial partnership will leverage Embraer’s global experience in aircraft design and manufacturing alongside Adani Group’s expanding aviation footprint, which spans airport infrastructure, aerospace manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, and pilot training.
Highlighting the importance of regional aviation to economic growth, Jeet Adani, Director of Adani Defence & Aerospace, said initiatives such as UDAN had transformed connectivity across smaller cities, making the case for a strong domestic aviation ecosystem. “This partnership will also strengthen strategic relations between India and Brazil by bringing complementary capabilities together,” he said.
According to the companies, the proposed ecosystem is designed to meet domestic demand while creating substantial direct and indirect employment opportunities across engineering, manufacturing, logistics and support services.
“We are shaping India’s regional transport aircraft ecosystem, a bold stride toward Aatmanirbhar aviation that bridges urban-rural divides, generates high-skill employment, and elevates India’s position in the global aerospace industry,” said Ashish Rajvanshi, President and CEO of Adani Defence & Aerospace.
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Embraer-Adani Group Partnership for Regional Jets.
Embraer has maintained a long-standing presence in India, with nearly 50 aircraft across 11 types currently operating in commercial, defence and business aviation roles. The Indian Air Force operates Embraer platforms such as the Legacy 600 and the ‘Netra’ AEW&C aircraft based on the ERJ145, while regional carrier Star Air flies a fleet of E175 and ERJ145 aircraft.
Adani Defence & Aerospace is India’s largest integrated private defence and aerospace company, with capabilities spanning aircraft, unmanned systems, avionics, weapons and sustainment. The company also operates the country’s largest MRO ecosystem and a rapidly expanding pilot training platform, positioning it as a key player in building an end-to-end indigenous aviation value chain.
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