Embraer and Denel Agree on KC-390 Millennium Cooperation

Our Bureau - : Apr 4, 2025 - : 8:39 am

Embraer and South African aerospace and defence company Denel officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the LAAD Defense and Security exhibition in Brazil. The MoU, signed by Chris Boshoff, Group Executive, CEO Aerospace of Denel, and Fabio Caparica,...

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Embraer and South African aerospace and defence company Denel officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the LAAD Defense and Security exhibition in Brazil.

The MoU, signed by Chris Boshoff, Group Executive, CEO Aerospace of Denel, and Fabio Caparica, Vice President of Contracts at Embraer Defense & Security, outlines the framework for a potential future collaboration on the KC-390 Millennium aircraft, with focus on aerostructures manufacturing, maintenance, repair, and overhaul activities.

"We are thrilled to strengthen our ties with Denel, a proven aerospace leader in South Africa, as the country looks to replace its legacy military aircraft. We are looking forward to providing South Africa with the most advanced aircraft in its category while cooperating with South Africa's defense industry," said Fabio Caparica, Vice President of Contracts at Embraer Defense & Security.

"Our longstanding relationship spans several decades, and this collaboration will further strengthen our ties," said Chris Boshoff, Group Executive CEO Aerospace of Denel. "Denel is well-equipped and is a suitably qualified industrial partner to undertake the necessary tasks envisaged for the collaboration and will significantly enhance the strategic airlift support capabilities on the African continent."

The KC-390 Millennium is a next generation military transport aircraft particularly suited for operations in South Africa. Its versatility, ease of reconfiguration between two missions, and ability to operate from unprepared airstrips make it an ideal, cost-efficient, aircraft for modern armed forces of the African continent.

The KC-390 Millennium can carry more payload (26 tons) compared to other medium-sized military transport aircraft and flies faster (470 knots) and farther, being capable of performing a wide range of missions including humanitarian aid, transport and airdrop of cargo and troops, air-to-air refueling both as tanker and receiver, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting and special operations, while operating from temporary or unpaved runways such as packed earth, soil and gravel.

The aircraft has been acquired by eight countries: Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, South Korea, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, and an undisclosed customer. It has also been officially selected by Sweden and Slovakia to modernize their air forces.

The KC-390 Millennium entered service with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, the Portuguese Air Force in 2023 and, most recently the Hungarian Air Force in 2024.

Embraer / Denel / Kc-390-millennium /

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