Embraer today announced the signing of a partnership agreement with Fokker Techniek and Fokker Services, which could expand the scope of the Brazilian manufacturer’s products, particularly in the defense area.
The two companies of the Fokker group specialize in the modification and conversion of civil and military aircraft, both for VIP customers and for use as special mission aircraft, and also provide high-quality support and maintenance, according to specific customer requirements.
Embraer has a wide range of commercial and civil aircraft in operation almost all over the world. It has also acquired international renown thanks to military aircraft such as the Tucano and, in particular, its latest variant, the A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft, a veteran of the Afghanistan campaign.
The Brazilian company also ventured into the select market of special mission aircraft by converting its ERJ-145 business jet into Airborne Early Warning and Control platforms (designation E-99) AEW&C, ground intelligence and reconnaissance aircraft (R-99) and maritime patrol aircraft (P-99), of which it managed to sell 18 units to Brazil, Mexico, Greece and India. Recently, through a partnership with Israel’s IAI-Elta, Embraer even proposed an AEW&C solution based on its Praetor 600 business jet, the P600 AEW.
Finally, Embraer Defense’s crown jewel, the C-390 Millennium, is the cargo and transport aircraft designed to be the successor to the legendary C-130 Hercules. And it is no coincidence that it was specifically mentioned in Embraer’s press release.
When Boeing Commercial abandoned the idea of merging with Embraer Commercial, another tight bond was broken as collateral damage: the C-390 Millennium was set to be blessed by Boeing Defense’s wide network of support, logistics and sales. While this partnership with Fokker could not be compared in company volumes, there is a specific contract that would explain the bold move.
C-390 for the Royal Netherlands Air Force
The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) currently has 4 old, very worn-out C-130H Hercules, which are in need of replacement. A number of requirements were issued for them including the ability to operate in and out of austere airfields, short take-off and landing (STOL) capability, having medical evacuation (medevac) configuration including in-flight patient care, the ability to carry a minimum of 60 fully equipped paratroopers, a range of not less than 2,000 miles, being fitted with self-protection equipment and possessing “network-centric” (network operations) capability.
The C-390 Millennium meets all or most of the requirements issued by the Dutch Ministry of Defense for the replacement of its Hercules. The agreement with Fokker Techniek and Fokker Services probably has to do with the possibility of selling 4 C-390s to RNLAF. The local firms would be in charge of adapting the Brazilian aircraft to fit perfectly within the required specifications, while they would provide maintenance and support (if the Millenniums are chosen), with national labor.
Special mission aircraft
Embraer has several types of platforms in operation around the world, which could be susceptible to be transformed into military aircraft for special missions.
In addition to the already named Embraer/IAI-Elta P600 AEW, the Pakistan Navy acquired 3 Embraer Lineage 1000 VIP aircraft, to convert them into long-range naval patrol aircraft, replacing their P-3 Orion (Sea Sultan program). This demonstrates the potential of Embraer’s aircraft to cover various military mission roles.
In fact, the use of this type of high-performance, cost-effective aircraft for patrol and intelligence missions is becoming an increasingly frequent choice within air forces globally.
As part of the industrial offsets of a hypothetical C-390 Millennium purchase by RNLAF, Embraer could add Fokker Techniek’s expertise in aircraft modification and conversion, together with Fokker Services’ experience in the creation of customized support and maintenance solutions, to give birth to a new generation of Brazilian special mission aircraft, continuing and surpassing the initial success of the E-99/R-99 platform.
There would even be the possibility of these companies assisting Embraer in the creation of conversion kits and/or modifications for the C-390. The Millennium’s high performance and large internal volume, coupled with the fact that it already has an under-fuselage pylon and 2 under-wing pylons for in-flight refueling, would allow rapid conversion from transport aircraft to other tasks such as Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Search And Rescue (SAR), firefighting, airborne command post, support for special forces operations, etc.
All of this would be made possible through the installation of various palletized mission modules and pods, which could be easily attached to and removed from the C-390 as required, providing great operational flexibility and allowing the Millennium to grow beyond its original design specifications into a true multi-mission force multiplier.
