Embraer KC-390 vs Ilyushin IL-214

Comparison Table (Information Source: Wikipedia)

An article today about how the Russians are going forward with the Ilyushin IL-214, also known as the Medium Transport Aircraft, without any Indian contribution as well as an earlier article about how the Russians have frozen HAL out of the design and manufacturing process prompted me to put together the above table. 

The KC-390 will begin deliveries from 2018 onwards. The first prototype is already flying and the second one is scheduled to begin flights soon if they are not already underway. The KC-390 uses commercial off-the-shelf technology - its engines are widely used on the Airbus A320ceo family and some aerostructures are common with the Embraer E-190 though not as much as was envisaged at the conception of the project. The fact that the engines are so commonly used across the world and that Indian airline companies use several A320s themselves, means there is already a set body of knowledge for the same within country. Several other components such as the avionics are commercially sourced which should reduce problems. Further, and most importantly in the mind of this armchair general, it reduces our dependence on Russian unreliability and their whims and fancies. Due to their delays in spares deliveries, several aircraft are grounded and serviceability rates are notoriously low due to the short service life of Russian made parts. 

A big big big plus as far as the KC-390 goes is that it is designed from the ground up as an aerial refueler as well. This is a fantastic addition to the already diverse skill set of the aircraft. The aircraft was also designed for efficiency instead of operations in unusual conditions. With this in mind, the aircraft can be a fantastic replacement for the HAL 748. Those aircraft are used for light transport duties as well as training and communications duties. Upgrading to a jet aircraft allows increase in speed as well as multi role utility that is simply not available in the C-295 that is replacing these aircraft. Further the KC-390 is designed from the ground up to be a recipient of air-to-air refueling as well with a probe above the cockpit.