The partnership between Embraer and Adani Defence & Aerospace, which is part of the Indian industrial conglomerate Adani Enterprises, is, step by step, starting to take shape.
On February 21, 2026, the two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the setup of a final assembly line (FAL) for the E175 regional jet in India.
The agreement, which was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and India’s Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal, follows the announcement, in January 2026, that the two companies would cooperate in the manufacture of regional aircraft.
What has now been disclosed is the fact that this project is going to be centered on the local production in India of the E175 airliner.
The E175 can seat up to 88 passengers when in a single cabin configuration, a size that is considered a good fit for the needs of the Indian regional market. Embraer estimates that India will need around 500 aircraft in the 80 to 146-seat range over the next two decades in order to fulfill its regional connectivity goals.
The development of regional aviation is seen as key to facilitate economic development throughout India and bridge the current urban-rural divide.
This is the reason that the Indian government has been providing incentives, under the so-called UDAN program, to improve regional air links. These efforts have included the improvement and building of airports in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in India and a subsidy program to facilitate access to regional air services to the rural population.
Both Embraer and Adani Group are already working together to establish the necessary facilities and supply chain capable of supporting the serial production of the E175 in India. The two companies also plan to offer the related aftermarket services and pilot training.