At the 55th Paris Air Show, the Portuguese government announced its intention to acquire a sixth Embraer KC-390 Millennium transport aircraft. This decision builds on a contract for five aircraft signed in August 2019 and will significantly strengthen the transport fleet of the Portuguese Air Force (FAP).
In addition, Embraer and the Portuguese Air Force plan to extend the existing contract with ten purchase options, allowing for future acquisitions by European nations or NATO members through the Portuguese government in government-to-government negotiations. This strategic extension aims to promote interoperability and cooperation with new KC-390 operators while further developing the Portuguese aviation industry. The KC-390 Millennium has proven highly capable and versatile since its entry into service by Portugal in 2023, achieving an impressive 99 percent mission completion rate.
The KC-390 Millennium: A multi-talent for military and civilian tasks
The Embraer KC-390 Millennium is a tactical transport aircraft developed and produced by the Brazilian aerospace company Embraer. It is designed as a medium transport aircraft and is intended to bridge the gap between smaller tactical transports and large cargo aircraft like the C-130 Hercules, whose fleets in many countries are aging and in need of replacement. The KC-390 is distinguished by its ability to perform a wide range of missions, making it a versatile and cost-effective system for modern air forces.
The aircraft's core capabilities include cargo and troop transport, as well as airdropping supplies and personnel. The KC-390 is also equipped for specialized missions such as aeromedical evacuation of casualties, search and rescue (SAR), and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) – for example, in the event of natural disasters or major accidents. Another important capability is aerial firefighting, enabled by the use of specialized extinguishing systems.
A key feature of the KC-390 Millennium is its aerial refueling (AAR) capability. The aircraft can both refuel other aircraft in mid-air as a tanker and be refueled itself. This significantly increases its range and airborne endurance, which is particularly beneficial for long-range missions or extended surveillance tasks. In particular, the KC-390 can also support maritime surveillance and SAR operations, with aerial refueling dramatically increasing mission time at sea. The ability to operate from short runways and the ability to refuel other aircraft in mid-air are critical to Portugal's defense requirements, ensuring high flexibility in the use of airfields and extended range for operational forces.
The aircraft has achieved an impressive 99 percent mission completion rate since its entry into service and boasts a low operating cost. These factors, coupled with its multi-mission capability and inherent interoperability, make the KC-390 a platform ready to perform all types of missions required by the Air Force.
Portugal's role as a reference operator and gateway to Europe
With the decision to acquire the sixth KC-390 Millennium aircraft, Portugal is cementing its role as the reference operator of this aircraft type in Europe. The Portuguese Air Force (FAP) has been operating the KC-390 since 2023 and has thus already gained extensive experience in the integration and testing of the aircraft. This early and intensive use makes Portugal an important partner for Embraer and a point of contact for other nations interested in the KC-390.
Nuno Melo, the Portuguese Minister of Defence, highlighted the importance of this decision: "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 was integrated and tested in Portugal." The fact that Portugal was not only a customer but also a partner in the development and testing creates a deep familiarity with the system.
The agreement between Embraer and the Portuguese Air Force to include ten purchase options in the current contract, intended for future acquisitions by other European nations or NATO members through the Portuguese state, is a strategic move. It enables "increased interoperability and collaboration with new KC-390 operators," as Embraer emphasized. This brings benefits in the form of reduced costs for training, logistical support, and the aircraft's life cycle. For Portugal, it also means growing participation and development within the Portuguese aviation cluster, which translates into financial returns for the country. The Portuguese Air Force can position itself as a "partner of excellence in operations and training" through its KC-390 Training Center.
Bosco da Costa Junior, President & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, also expressed his delight at the expanded partnership: "The acquisition of the sixth KC-390 by FAP, which has operated the aircraft since 2023, will be the first additional purchase by an operator, demonstrating recognition of the quality and operational results achieved by this aircraft." The interest in additional options confirms that "other Western countries could very soon join this group of operators, bringing economic synergies for all throughout the entire life cycle of the KC-390."
The KC-390 in the European context: An alternative to the C-130 Hercules
The Embraer KC-390 is positioned as a modern and cost-effective alternative to older transport aircraft, particularly the widely used Lockheed C-130 Hercules, which forms the backbone of tactical airlift fleets in many air forces worldwide. Many of these C-130 aircraft are approaching the end of their service life and are in need of replacement. The KC-390 offers an attractive option, offering modern avionics, greater speed, and a larger payload capacity than some of the older C-130 models.
In addition to Portugal, other countries have already ordered the KC-390 or expressed interest. These include Brazil, the Netherlands, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. This demonstrates growing European interest in this platform. The planned expansion of purchase options through Portugal as an intermediary could facilitate access for other European and NATO countries, as they could benefit from Portugal's already established logistics and training structures. This not only promotes interoperability within NATO but also the standardization of equipment, which could lead to increased efficiency and cost savings in the long term.
The KC-390's ability to perform a variety of missions is a significant advantage in a complex security environment. Whether it's the rapid transport of troops and equipment to crisis zones, supporting humanitarian disasters, or conducting specialized operations, the KC-390 offers the necessary flexibility. This makes it an attractive option for air forces seeking to modernize and diversify their capabilities without having to invest in multiple specialized aircraft types.
The Paris Air Show serves not only as a showcase for technological innovations but also as a forum for strategic defense deals. Portugal's order and the expanded options for European partners underscore the growing importance of the KC-390 in the global military transport aircraft market and Embraer's position as a major player in the aviation industry.
and 