Embraer Pitches Weaponized C-390M with Anti-Ship and Land-Attack Capabilities for India's MTA Tender

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.

 

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[sanket]

Some Companies from Bharat should buy stake in Embraer, this platform can b use in Multiple things from AWACs, Refuelling MTA, Regional passenger & now Armed variant.

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

Embraer is very flexible and also we have friendly government in Brazil. Also they are looking for too much opportunities to expand. We must grab this chance without wasting any time.

 

[Deepak Anant Hegde]

Hope we are able to focus on what we want to primarily achieve with the MTA, rather than being distracted by secondary things !!

 

[Venkat S]

Some Companies from Bharat should buy stake in Embraer, this platform can b use in Multiple things from AWACs, Refuelling MTA, Regional passenger & now Armed variant.

Provided those companies are ready to sell out their stakes subject to approval from their Govt.

 

[Jagroshan singh]

Is there any armed varient of C-390M out there, or it is just on drawing board only?

 

[R. Singh]

Embraer should upgrade C-390 M to carry 35 ton of Military goods because Zorawar weight could go up to 30 ton if need arise ! Better we should go for made in India A-400 M

 

[R. Singh]

Embraer should upgrade C-390 M to carry 35 ton of Military goods because Zorawar weight could go up to 30 ton if need arise ! Better we should go for made in India A-400 M

 

[Dredd]

Is there any armed varient of C-390M out there, or it is just on drawing board only?

it's a small change to airframe , much smaller change than making a AEW&C jet or Air refueller.

 

[Jagroshan singh]

it's a small change to airframe , much smaller change than making a AEW&C jet or Air refueller.

it could be but, atleast we have a real example of armed varient of C-130 i.e. AC 130 gunship used by US, which gives the confidence that C-130 is capable of achieving it. In the same manner I am asking, is there any real armed varient of C-390M out there operating somewhere?

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

it could be but, atleast we have a real example of armed varient of C-130 i.e. AC 130 gunship used by US, which gives the confidence that C-130 is capable of achieving it. In the same manner I am asking, is there any real armed varient of C-390M out there operating somewhere?

Agreed, but US will not integrate Indian weapons into C130, not they will set up any assembly line here. So it is better to keep US totally out of it.

 

[Sandeep]

it could be but, atleast we have a real example of armed varient of C-130 i.e. AC 130 gunship used by US, which gives the confidence that C-130 is capable of achieving it. In the same manner I am asking, is there any real armed varient of C-390M out there operating somewhere?

No there isn’t any operational or any prototype of an armed C-390 plane. They can do that if they wanted to.

 

[Surendra Barsode]

Transport aircraft should be doing transporting as optimally as possible and we should not unnecessarily be distracted by such additional features. Let the most optimal solution be selected finally.

 

[Sandeep]

For the MTA competition the only ideal planes that meet our specifications is the C390 and Airbus 400 but the only problem with the Airbus 400 is that it is very expensive. I’m sure that airbus can develop an armed version so that we can carry out air strikes if needed but that will increase the cost a lot more though.

With the C390 plane it’s more affordable and it meets our specifications and our payload capacity. If they can install a armed version then it will be a major boost to our fire power and capabilities as we can use the plane to carry out any air strikes if we needed to while transporting the cargo in a hot landing zone or air base on the borders.

 

[Rokuth Mk1]

Interesting that Embraer has not come up with a gunship variant like that of the C-130.