Embraer is shaking up India's Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) tender with a bold proposition: a weaponized C-390M Millennium. In its briefing to the Indian Air Force (IAF) for the 60-aircraft tender, Embraer showcased the C-390M equipped with hardpoints under its wings, capable of carrying air-to-surface weapon systems. This multi-role capability, aimed at providing anti-land and anti-ship operational capabilities, positions the C-390M as more than just a transport aircraft.
Embraer proposes equipping the C-390M with multiple hardpoints under each wing, enabling it to carry heavy stand-off weapons such as the indigenously developed Rudram-II air-to-surface missile. For anti-ship roles, the aircraft could be armed with NASM-MR or Medium Range Anti-Ship Missiles (MRAShM), adding a significant capability boost to the Indian Navy.
Furthermore, Embraer is keen to develop a variant of the C-390M that can act as a mothership for air-launched drones. This aligns with the modern trend of leveraging unmanned platforms in aerial warfare and could fulfill the IAF's requirements for swarm or autonomous UAV deployment.
By integrating weapons systems and drone-launching capabilities, the C-390M transforms into a true force multiplier. It expands its operational scope beyond conventional transport to include precision strikes, maritime security, and combat UAV operations. This multi-role approach could offer cost benefits to the IAF by combining transport and tactical strike capabilities in a single platform.
The IAF's MTA tender is highly competitive, with established players like the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules and Airbus' A400M Atlas vying for the contract. However, by offering a weaponized and drone-capable C-390M, Embraer is presenting a unique solution that addresses both tactical transport and combat roles. This could give the C-390M a competitive edge in the tender.
Embraer's proposal reflects a growing trend in modern military aviation towards multi-role platforms that can adapt to diverse operational needs. The weaponized C-390M offers India a versatile and cost-effective solution with the potential to significantly enhance its air power capabilities.
