“Most Modern, Versatile and Capable”: Mahindra on KC-390 After Greece’s Selection

05 Nov 2026, 12:51 by Paul Antonopoulos · Greek City Times

Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra has welcomed Greece’s decision to acquire Embraer’s KC-390 Millennium, describing the growing list of international buyers as further proof of the aircraft’s capabilities and a boost for plans to manufacture it in India.

On 2 November 2026, the Hellenic Ministry of National Defense signed a contract for three KC-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft, with options for three more, through a government-to-government agreement with Portugal. The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2027.

The deal marks Greece as the 14th country and the seventh European nation (after Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic and Sweden) to select the type. It will strengthen Greek airlift capacity and give the Hellenic Air Force its first organic aerial-refuelling capability, allowing it to support Rafale and Mirage fighters while improving interoperability with NATO allies.

Mahindra responded on X the following day, calling the Greek order “yet another strong endorsement of this exceptional platform.” He stated: “The KC-390 is clearly the most modern, versatile and capable military transport aircraft in the world today. Its unmatched combination of speed, range, payload, advanced technology and multi-mission capabilities is setting new benchmarks in military aviation.” He listed existing and recent customers including Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, South Korea, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates, Colombia and now Greece.

The praise is closely tied to Mahindra’s own plans. Mahindra Group has partnered with Embraer to offer the KC-390 (also known as the C-390 in some configurations) for the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme. If selected, the partnership envisages a final assembly line in India together with a high degree of localisation through the Indian aerospace supply chain. Mahindra described this as a significant step toward strengthening India’s indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem while equipping the IAF with one of the world’s most advanced military transport platforms. Earlier reports indicated Nagpur as a preferred location for assembly.

The KC-390 is a twin-engine jet transport capable of carrying roughly 26 tonnes, cruising at up to 470 knots, and operating from semi-prepared or short runways. It supports cargo and troop transport, airdrops, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting and humanitarian missions, and can be configured as both a tanker and a receiver.

Greece’s selection adds to a steady stream of European and global orders that Embraer has secured in recent years, reinforcing the aircraft’s commercial momentum as India evaluates options for replacing its ageing An-32 fleet under a large MTA tender.

Stay connected to Greek City Times for Free on Google News
Click NOW
Stay updated with the latest news from Greece and around the world on greekcitytimes.com.
Contact our newsroom to share your updates, stories, photos, or videos. Follow GCT on WhatsApp, Google News and Apple News.

Related coverage

Advertising