On Tuesday (3), an Embraer team visited the Brazilian Embassy in New Delhi to present its growth plans for the region. Earlier this year, the company established a subsidiary in India to support its business expansion and recently announced the opening of a new office.

India is not the only Asian country on Embraer’s radar. China, the world’s second-largest aviation market, has also been a key target. “We have 4,000 aircraft worldwide, and only 49 are here [in India]. We are heavily focused on the KC-390 [the defense aircraft being evaluated by the Indian government], and discussions are advancing. However, we also want to sell executive and commercial jets,” Mr. Gomes Neto said.

Of Embraer’s fleet in India, only 10 aircraft are in the commercial division, operated by Star Air. Mr. Gomes Neto noted that India’s regional aviation market relies heavily on turboprop aircraft, an area where Embraer sees a competitive edge. “There has been substantial investment in roads and railways, which reduces the competitiveness of smaller aircraft. We believe our planes can fill those gaps,” he said.

According to Embraer’s estimates, India will require approximately 500 aircraft over the next 20 years, with around 300 of those expected to be delivered within the next decade. A significant portion of orders is likely to focus on replacing turboprops, as there are currently about 100 operating in the country.

India’s vast geography contrasts with the limited range of turboprops, typically around 500 km. Embraer’s jets, besides being faster, can fly approximately 6,000 km, enabling direct connections between distant cities. Part of Embraer’s strategy to strengthen its position in India involved setting up a subsidiary, a process completed in March. This week, the company also announced a new office.

João Bosco da Costa Júnior, vice president of Embraer’s defense and security business, recalled that three years ago the company had no employees in India. All operations were managed from Singapore, about a five-hour flight from New Delhi. “Since we started our growth strategy here, we’ve hired people and now have 10 positions,” he said. The company’s goal is not only to build a sales team but also to hire engineers and technicians locally.

The subsidiary also supports Embraer’s effort to sell the KC-390 to the Indian Air Force. The Brazilian manufacturer is competing against industry giants such as the Lockheed C-130 Hercules and the A400M Atlas.

India plans to order between 40 and 80 aircraft, with a decision expected by 2026. One of the requirements is that 50% of the aircraft content must be produced locally, which helped drive Embraer’s decision to establish a presence in the country. Depending on the size of the order, the company is also considering setting up a final assembly line in India.

“The defense market in India is extremely significant. The Asia-Pacific region has seen considerable growth and now has an aging military fleet that will need to be replaced,” Mr. Costa Júnior pointed out. Embraer estimates the region will account for about 23% of global military aircraft demand in the coming years.

Embraer’s interest in the region extends beyond India. As previously reported by Valor, the company is eyeing opportunities in China, especially amid the current geopolitical turbulence. American manufacturer Boeing has been directly impacted by the trade tensions fueled by U.S. President Donald Trump, with the Chinese government even halting deliveries of Boeing planes.

China’s Comac offers aircraft with 80 to over 160 seats, while Embraer’s models range from 110 to 146 seats. The company already operates a fleet of around 90 aircraft in China, mainly ERJ-145s and E190s. To boost its prospects in the Chinese market, Embraer has hired Patrick Peng, formerly of Airbus and GE, to help drive business development.

The Brazilian manufacturer closed the first quarter with its highest revenue since 2016, totaling R$6.4 billion, a 44% year-over-year increase. Net income reached R$434 million, up 204.1%. Embraer’s order backlog now stands at $26.4 billion, the largest in its history.

However, the company also faces challenges. Chief among them is the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by Azul, currently its largest customer for the E2 model. “We have several aircraft scheduled for delivery, either directly to Azul or through lessors. We are monitoring the situation closely. What we hear is that Azul’s fleet strategy is to replace E1 jets with E2s, and that plan remains in place,” Mr. Gomes Neto said. According to him, the involvement of American Airlines and United in Azul’s restructuring process is a positive sign.

Another concern involves U.S. tariffs. Recently, Embraer delivered a commercial aircraft to an American customer under the new tariff structure. However, due to the U.S.-made content in the aircraft, the tax rate was significantly lower than the standard 10%. Despite the higher tariff, no orders have been canceled.