Colombia may close deal for three Embraer KC-390 Millenniums
Colombia’s name has once again been associated with an order for Embraer’s KC-390 Millennium airlifters.
The bearer of the news is once again Brazilian Defense Minister Jose Mucio, who revealed on Thursday that the South American country’s Air Force is considering purchasing three aircraft.
Mucio has been a sort of informal spokesperson for discussions by potential customers of the multirole aircraft, going beyond what Embraer executives themselves admit to revealing.
In addition to Colombia, the Brazilian Defense Minister also mentioned Mexico, Turkey, India and Poland as countries that are interested in the KC-390.
Letter of Intent for 12 KC-390
Owner of a fleet of 24 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft acquired in 2005, the Colombian Air Force currently operates nine Lockheed Martin C-130B/H Hercules.
The service has long been considering replacing them and even signed a Letter of Intent with Embraer in 2010 to purchase 12 Millennium aircraft.
The plan was for companies in the country to become suppliers of the jet, as was the case with Argentina. But neither the order nor the participation in the project became a reality.
After years of pause, the study of the KC-390 was resumed in 2023 when Mucio himself revealed his interest in the acquisition.
A little over a year ago, a report from a Brazilian outlet stated that Brazil and Colombia were in advanced talks to close a deal for the airlifter.
If it happens, the sale would be the second of the KC-390 Millennium in the Americas, since until now the aircraft has only been operated by Brazil. Most of the customers are in Europe, where the twin-engine aircraft already has seven agreements.
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