Portugal adds sixth KC-390 Millennium and ten purchase options
Lisbon becomes the first operator to extend its KC-390 order.
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Embraer and the Portuguese State have signed an amendment to the current contract covering the acquisition of a sixth KC-390 Millennium, along with ten new purchase options for potential acquisitions by future partner nations. With this decision, Portugal becomes the first operator to expand its initial order of the Brazilian-built tactical transport aircraft, in service with the Portuguese Air Force (FAP) since 2023.
General João Cartaxo Alves, Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Air Force, emphasized that the new acquisition represents a significant step in strengthening operational availability:
““The acquisition of the sixth KC-390 significantly enhances the strategic and operational capabilities of the Portuguese Air Force by substantially increasing the availability of tactical and logistical transport. This fleet expansion equips Portugal with a robust and flexible platform, enabling rapid and effective response to a broad spectrum of missions, encompassing both military operations and civilian emergency support, at national and international levels. Furthermore, the contract addendum, that includes ten purchase options, will strengthen Air Base No. 11 as a specialized training center, consolidating it as a center of excellence for the training of KC-390 pilots and operators. Notably, as the first NATO member to operate this aircraft, Portugal benefits from the advanced expertise of its Air Force personnel, which is essential for knowledge sharing and cooperation with other allied operators”.
In turn, Bosco da Costa Júnior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, underlined Portugal’s pioneering role in Europe:
"The signing of this contract, the first of its kind by an operator, demonstrates the recognition of the quality, operational efficiency and multi-mission capability of our aircraft," said Bosco da Costa Júnior, president and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. "Portugal becomes a benchmark for European nations and NATO members looking for a state-of-the-art aircraft to equip and modernize their fleets."
Since entering service with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, and more recently with Portugal (2023) and Hungary (2024), the KC-390 has demonstrated high availability and productivity, consolidating itself as a modern alternative to the veteran C-130 Hercules. Capable of carrying 26 tons of payload—compared to 21 for the Hercules—flying at 470 knots and operating from unpaved runways, the Millennium can perform missions ranging from troop and cargo transport and airdrop, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, humanitarian support, and aerial refueling, both as a tanker and as a receiver.
With eleven air forces as customers—eight of them in Europe and seven NATO members—the KC-390 Millennium is consolidating its global presence in the tactical transport segment, with Portugal setting a precedent as a pioneering operator within the Alliance.
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