Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer and India intend to develop a basic turboprop trainer aircraft to meet the air force requirements of both nations.

Embraer executive vice-president for the defence market Orlando JF Neto said the Brazilian Air Force, which operates between 100 and 150 Embraer Tucano turboprop trainer aircraft, will need to be upgraded or replaced with a new trainer aircraft by 2018.

“So, we will also have room for replacement and so there is a scope to co-develop and co-produce a basic trainer. Both countries can probably spend the money equally and produce about 100-150 planes each,” he added.

Embraer also expects to win a contract from India to supply nine multimission aircraft for which ‘contractual discussions’ are ongoing, reports WSJ.