Portugal Deepens Its Commitment to the Embraer KC-390: Orders Sixth Aircraft and Adds Ten Options for NATO Partners
Portugal expands its KC-390 fleet to six aircraft and positions itself as a hub for future Embraer cargo plane sales through an innovative NATO agreement.
Underscoring its confidence in Embraer’s tactical transport platform, the Portuguese government announced today, during the 55th Paris Air Show, its decision to purchase a sixth KC-390 Millennium. This move expands the original order of five aircraft signed in 2019 and solidifies the Portuguese Air Force (FAP) as a key operator of the next-generation twin-engine transport.
Portugal positions itself as a hub for future KC-390 sales through a new NATO partnership framework.
The agreement goes beyond a simple fleet expansion. Embraer and the FAP plan to include ten purchase options in the existing contract. This mechanism would allow other European nations or NATO members to acquire the aircraft through Portugal in future government-to-government deals. The strategy aims to boost interoperability among KC-390 operators, delivering direct benefits in training, logistics support, and lifecycle cost reduction.
The Portuguese Air Force has been operating the KC-390 since 2023 as part of a modernization program replacing its aging C-130H Hercules fleet, used by Squadron 501 “Bisontes.” The addition of a sixth aircraft strengthens the FAP’s capacity to carry out a range of missions, including military logistics, troop transport, aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue, and firefighting.
Portuguese Defense Minister Nuno Melo emphasized that with this decision, Portugal "continues to invest in Air Force capabilities, becoming the reference operator for this aircraft." He also noted that the inclusion of ten purchase options "will allow other European and NATO nations to acquire interoperable, versatile platforms through Portugal, fostering continued development of the Defense Technological and Industrial Base and generating financial returns for the country."
• What does the new agreement involve?
Portugal will purchase a sixth KC-390 and add 10 purchase options to the original contract, enabling other NATO nations to acquire the aircraft under a cooperative framework.• Since when has Portugal operated the KC-390?
The Portuguese Air Force has operated the KC-390 since 2023, replacing its C-130H Hercules fleet.• Why is this announcement significant?
It strengthens the KC-390’s presence in Europe, positions Portugal as a reference operator and training hub, and marks the first follow-on purchase by an existing customer—demonstrating trust in the platform.
The KC-390 Millennium is gaining ground in the European market as the natural successor to the C-130. In addition to Portugal, it has been selected by Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Sweden—indicating a regional shift toward the Brazilian-built aircraft. Portugal’s initiative could accelerate KC-390 adoption by other air forces, such as Slovakia’s, which has already expressed interest.
Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, expressed the company’s pride in deepening its partnership with the FAP and the Portuguese government. He noted that the acquisition of the sixth aircraft "marks the first additional purchase by an existing operator, showcasing the aircraft’s recognized quality and operational performance." He added that the interest in additional purchase options confirms that more Western countries may soon join this group of operators, benefiting from economic synergies.
AUTOR
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