Nagpur chosen over Tamil Nadu for potential Embraer-Mahindra aircraft plant, drawing opposition ire

Mahindra Group and Brazilian aerospace firm Embraer have picked Nagpur in Maharashtra as the potential site for a Final Assembly Line to build C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft in India.

Project Details

The plant will only be built if the C-390 is chosen for the Indian Air Force program to buy 60 aircraft. The project involves aircraft assembly, systems integration, manufacturing engineering, and local supply chain development. Mahindra thanked Maharashtra for fast land allotment.

Political Row

The decision sparked criticism against the ruling TVK government. Opposition parties pointed out that Tamil Nadu's Sulur and Hosur had earlier been showcased to Embraer. Former Industries Minister T.R.B. Rajaa blamed TVK for lacking follow-up. BJP spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy also slammed the administration. Meanwhile, Industries Minister S. Keerthana defended the government and blamed the previous DMK rule for losing other past projects.

Context

Aerospace manufacturing projects require large tracts of land and long-term planning, making proactive government support a major factor in corporate site selection. State governments routinely compete to attract such high-value defense and industrial investments to boost local employment.