Embraer Defence & Security, which is witnessing a rush of orders for its C-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft is now eyeing the potential market demand for the type in the region. The Philippine Air Force already an operator of Embraer’s A-29...
To read the full article, please log in or enter your email below:
Embraer Defence & Security, which is witnessing a rush of orders for its C-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft is now eyeing the potential market demand for the type in the region. The Philippine Air Force already an operator of Embraer’s A-29 Super Tucano.
The Brazilian airframer’s foray into large military aircraft is now paying dividends with the C-390 Millennium new generation multi-mission transport aircraft having received orders from air forces in seven countries. Air forces in Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic have ordered the aircraft. South Korea, the most recent customer for the type, gives Embraer Defence & Security a foothold in the Asian market. Embraer’s military transport is available in two configurations, while the product name is C-390 Millennium, it receives the designation KC-390 when customers opt for the aircraft in multi-mission air mobility and air-to-air refueling (AAR) configuration.
The C-390 can carry 26 tons of payload as compared to other medium-sized military transport aircraft and fly at speeds of 870 kmph. It is capable of performing a wide range of missions such as transporting and dropping cargo and troops, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian missions, operating on temporary or unpaved runways such as packed earth, soil, and gravel.
The C-390 Millennium entered into service with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) in 2019, which now operates four aircraft that are fully operational. The newest aircraft was delivered in December 2020. The FAB has been using the aircraft to complete international and domestic humanitarian and cargo missions. The Portuguese Armed Forces (FAP) ordered five KC-390s in 2019 and October 2020, with its first aircraft entering into service at Beja Air Base in October 2023. Embraer delivered the FAP’s second KC-390 in June this year.
FAP KC-390s include standard North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) equipment already integrated into the aircraft. Now operational with two air forces, Embraer states that the current fleet of aircraft in operation have accumulated over 13,000 flight hours, with approximately 80% operational availability and mission completion rates above 99%. Since entering operation with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019 and the Portuguese Air Force in 2023, the C-390 has proven its operational efficiency, and reliability. The current fleet of aircraft in operation has accumulated more than 14,000 flight hours, with mission capable rate of 93% and mission completion rates above 99%, demonstrating exceptional productivity in the category.
Asia and the Middle East could soon emerge as major markets for the C-390. In December 2023, South Korea emerged as the C-390 Millennium’s first customer in Asia. South Korea’s Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) selected the C-390 Millennium as the winner of its Large Transport Aircraft (LTA) II public tender to deliver a new military transport aircraft to the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). Under the signed contract for an undisclosed number of aircraft, Embraer will also provide a comprehensive consortium and offset package including a significant amount of C-390 Millennium parts to be locally manufactured by Korean partner companies and the development of a local Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) provider. Embraer is also eyeing an Indian Air Force (IAF) requirement for a new Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) in the 18-30 tonne class. The requirement could be for up to 80 aircraft, though Indian procurement procedures are notoriously longwinded and opaque. The jet powered C-390 aircraft features a rugged design that allows it to operate from semi-prepared and damaged runways, as well as harsh environments, varying from the hot and humid Amazon forest to the freezing Antarctic continent, as well as hot and sandy desert conditions. The C-390 can also be quickly reconfigured without specialist tools
The French Army has selected Exail to conduct a Tactical Evaluation (EVTA) of advanced driving simulators. The initiative is led…
GDAT, one of China’s most prominent helicopter operators, has signed an HCare In-Service contract with Airbus to cover ten H225…
Eve Air Mobility (Eve) and South Korea’s UI Helicopter have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the development…
At Verticon 2025 in Dallas, Leonardo announced securing nearly 30 helicopter orders for the AW109 GrandNew, AW169, AW139, and AW189…
Effective from 13th March 2025, Air Astana Group is introducing stricter regulations on the transport of lithium batteries and battery-powered…
DSA and NATSEC Asia 2026 is poised to build on the achievements of the 2024 event, where the Ministry of…
AAR CORP. has secured a multi-year agreement to deliver nacelle maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for Cebu Pacific Air's A320…
Exail has partnered with Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), part of the EDGE Group, and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII)…
The New York State Police has placed an order for one Airbus H160 and three H145 helicopters, becoming the first…
Clarivate has released its 2025 Top 100 Global Innovators list, recognising organisations that are advancing technology research and innovation. Among…
Indra Group has introduced IndraMind, an intelligence system aimed at enhancing the automation of critical operations and improving multi-domain operational…
The UK’s National Police Air Service (NPAS) has placed an order for seven Airbus H135 helicopters as part of the…
Metro Aviation has signed an agreement with Airbus Helicopters for up to 36 H140 helicopters to be used in emergency…
Aircraft leasing company Jackson Square Aviation (JSA) has placed an order for 50 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft. This marks JSA’s…
Global Medical Response (GMR) has signed an agreement with Airbus Helicopters for up to 15 H140 helicopters for emergency medical…
Airbus Helicopters has introduced the H140, a light twin-engine helicopter, at the VERTICON event in Dallas, Texas. The 3-tonne class…
Indra has introduced an advanced NH90 helicopter simulator at Cuatro Vientos Air and Space Force base, enhancing pilot training with…
Korean Air introduced a revised corporate identity on 11 March, featuring an updated version of its Taegeuk symbol. The airline…
Vietjet has announced the launch of a new direct route between Singapore and Phu Quoc, set to commence on 30…
Italian aerospace and defence major Leonardo has announced robust financial results for 2024, with the company recording strong growth across…
Francisco Gomes Neto, President and CEO of Embraer, is visiting Poland this week with a senior commercial and defence team,…
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is preparing to procure the Airbus A330 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) as part…
The Israeli defence industry is exerting pressure on the ministry of defence to amend export regulations and make it easier…
Gogo has obtained Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its Galileo HDX antenna. The…
ThinKom Solutions is expanding its government and military offerings with the ThinAir GT Plus terminal. The solution, unveiled at SATELLITE…
General Atomics Systems Integration (GA-SI) and Radian Aerospace have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance next-generation aerospace technologies…
Rheinmetall Defence Australia has begun assembling Multi Ammunition Soft Kill (MASS) countermeasure systems in Australia for installation on Royal Australian…
A Boeing-led team has installed the first of 20 additional silos and silo interface vaults at a newly constructed missile…
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has successfully tested advanced control laws for a ‘rotor blown wing’ uncrewed aerial system (UAS),…
magniX has announced a new series of lightweight, high-speed electric engines designed for helicopters, including light single-engine models and larger…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2025 GBP all rights reserved.