Company expands the KC-390 Millennium fleet in Europe and reinforces Brazil’s presence against US competition at NATO
Embraer announced this Monday (16.jun.2025) that Portugal will buy another military freighter KC-390 Millenium. With the new request, FAP (Portuguese Air Force) will have 6 units of the model from 2029.
The contract signed between the Brazilian company and the Portuguese aeronautics also includes 10 additional purchase options. Although still without a defined destination, these aircraft may be passed on to other European nations or to NATO countries, through government agreements to government intermediated by Portugal.
According to FAP, the reserve of space in the production line serves to ensure that if other allied countries want to buy model aircraft in the future, they will have priority in the delivery line. The idea is to facilitate a faster and more efficient response in joint missions between the countries of the military block.
“Interest in putting additional options in the contract is the confirmation that more Western countries can come together very briefly to this group of operators, benefiting all of them in economic synergies along the KC-390 life cycle.”said Bosco da Costa Junior, CEO of Embraer Defense and Security.
Portugal’s first contract with Embraer for the purchase of the KC-390 was signed in 2019 and provided 5 aircraft. The partnership between the 2 countries also includes logistical support, personnel training and maintenance.
Presence at NATO
The KC-390 Millennium is Embraer’s and has been gaining ground in the European defense market. In addition to Portugal, countries such as Hungary, Netherlands, Austria and Czech Republic have also announced orders from the aircraft.
The main competitor is the C-130J Super Hercules, manufactured by the American Lockheed Martin. It is a more modern version of the traditional Hercules line, widely used by NATO countries and other air forces around the world.
The C-130J is also able to perform various missions, such as cargo transportation and troops, medical evacuation, fire fighting and flying replenishment. However, the KC-390 offers higher load capacity, more speed and more modern systems, characteristics often highlighted by Embraer in sales campaigns.
