The KC-390 air transport and refueling aircraft, from the São Paulo manufacturer, is experiencing a paradoxical situation at the FAB (Brazilian Air Force), which paid for its development.
Due to lack of funds, the Air Force is considering scrapping 1 of the 5 planes it has operational, which suffered structural damage during a landing in Argentina, which if it occurs will only leave half of it for use.
This year, according to the Senate’s budget execution monitoring system, only 31% of the R$520.7 million authorized for the acquisition of the KC-390 was paid. Only R$266 million was committed, that is, actually marked for spending.
Of this total, R$74.2 million has already been disbursed in new money, while another R$86.6 million spent was the so-called remaining payments, commitments from previous years.
The FAB’s lack of funding, which has high operating costs, has become an issue in the discussion about ways to circumvent the fiscal framework. With lobbying from , the government (PT) to remove R$5 billion per year from restrictions to equip strategic military programs, such as the KC-390, the Gripen fighter and the Tamandaré frigates.
The delay marks such initiatives, and in the case of the Swedish combat aircraft, the FAB is looking for alternatives, such as the same device to fill specific holes.
The KC-390, which had R$5 billion (today something like R$9 billion, corrected over the years) from the government invested in its development, brings more dramatic elements.
On September 12, according to Victor Defensa, a KC-390 flew from Ushuaia to Brazil’s base in Antarctica to drop supplies, as happens regularly.
according to the FAB in a note, “the aircraft landed under strong wind conditions” and continued to Rio with a stopover in Pelotas “without any complications for the relevant assessments”. The details on the website, confirmed to the report by military personnel, are less smooth.
With the tailwind, the plane landed “hard”, as the jargon says, that is, with extreme violence. According to those in uniform, the initial examination carried out by Embraer Defense technicians at the Galeão base indicated that there are important cracks at the junction of the wing and fuselage, which require repair and perhaps replacement.
It is an expensive service, even if prices are confidential. This degree of detail is not commented on by Força or the manufacturer. In a statement, Embraer stated that “it is supporting the investigation process”.
with information also confirmed to Sheet by people with knowledge of the matter, there is a risk that the aircraft registration number 2859, received in September 2024, could join another damaged one.
Also at Galeão is KC-390 2853, which in 2021 was damaged when it entered a storm improperly, hit by hail. He made some flights with limitations and is currently grounded.
The report asked the FAB about the condition of the model and whether it was being used as a source of parts, the famous cannibalization, but there was still no response.
With two other KC-390s undergoing maintenance, one of them since the beginning of 2024, the model’s current fleet is only 50% available. In total, Brazil purchased 19 planes for an updated value of R$13.5 billion, which should only be delivered in the 2030s.
The original order was for 28 aircraft, creating an unprecedented crisis between the FAB and Embraer, which was born state-owned from the military and was privatized in 1994. Before, the schedule was due to lack of resources. The accounts didn’t close, but after the adjustment the situation seemed normalized — until now.
It is uncertain whether the new budget allocation, which must be sanctioned by the president, will resolve the issue. The KC-390 is Embraer’s biggest defense bet since the Super Tucano light attack aircraft. in addition to Brazil, 7 of which are members of the Western military alliance, NATO.
At the current production rate, the capacity of the Brazilian factory, 18 planes/year at full speed, may become insufficient. Embraer negotiates lines abroad with countries, but this depends on these nations becoming large-scale customers of the model, which seems advanced in the case of New Delhi.
The case in Ushuaia could also, as is customary in the sector, lead to an update to the plane’s flight control software, to avoid exaggerated impacts in adverse landing conditions. When asked about this and details of the incident, Embraer did not comment.
He cooperated Gustavo Patu
