Embraer has announced during the 55th edition of the Paris Air Show that Portugal has decided to acquire a sixth KC-390 Millennium aircraft. In August 2019, the government of Portugal and Embraer signed a contract for the acquisition of five KC-390 aircraft, and with this potential additional acquisition, the Portuguese Air Force’s (FAP) transport fleet will include six new-generation KC-390 aircraft, expanding its capacity to fulfil the missions of the Armed Forces and other missions of public interest.
“With this decision, Portugal continues to invest in the capabilities of the Air Force, at a time when it becomes the reference operator of this aircraft, which has unique characteristics, and which was integrated and tested in Portugal. The inclusion of ten purchase options for future government-to-government negotiations will allow other European and NATO nations to acquire, through Portugal, interoperable and versatile platforms, enabling for the continuous development of the Defense Technological and Industrial Base, with the consequent financial return for the country, and the affirmation of the Portuguese Air Force as a partner of excellence in operations and training for example through its KC-390 Training Centre,” Minister of Defence of Portugal, Nuno Melo, stated.
“We are extremely honored with the possibility to expand our partnership with the Portuguese Air Force and the Portuguese State. The acquisition of the sixth KC-390 by the FAP, which has been operating the aircraft since 2023, will be the first additional purchase by an operator, which demonstrates the recognition of the quality and operational results that this aircraft has achieved. The interest in placing additional options on the contract is confirmation that more Western countries may very soon join this group of operators, benefiting all of them in economic synergies throughout the life cycle of the KC-390,” President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, Bosco da Costa Junior, affirmed.
The KC-390 Millennium will perform a wide range of missions, such as cargo and troop transport and airdrops, aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue (SAR), humanitarian aid and disaster response (HADR), firefighting and aerial refueling (AAR), both as a tanker and receiver.