Portugal joins forces with Brazil to develop KC-390 maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft
The Portuguese Air Force (FAP) has confirmed its intention to join forces with Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) in studies to adapt the KC-390 Millennium multirole aircraft for maritime patrol missions, also known as the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft.
The announcement was made during LAAD Defense & Security, with the presence of General João Cartaxo Alves, Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Air Force, Air Lieutenant Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, Commander of the Brazilian Air Force, Francisco Gomes Neto, President and CEO of Embraer, and Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.
At the ceremony, a conceptual image of the modular roll-on/roll-off IVR system under development was presented. This solution will allow the KC-390 to perform ISR missions without losing its multi-mission versatility.
Air Lieutenant General Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno stated: “The collaborative work with Embraer is evolving efficiently and in a structured manner, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of the KC-390 Millennium for the current and future needs of the Brazilian Air Force.”
Damasceno concluded: “We see a great potential of the aircraft for ISR and maritime patrol missions. The Brazilian Air Force welcomes the Portuguese Air Force in joining this study, bringing their knowledge and experience to enhance the potential solution.”
“We are delighted with the Portuguese Air Force decision to join the studies for this new application for the KC-390 Millennium. Since the beginning of the program, our Brazilian and Portuguese partners have been crucial in making the KC-390 program an undeniable operational and technical success,” said Bosco da Costa Junior.
Replacement for the C-130 Hercules
The project is based on features already present in the Embraer KC-390 Millenium, such as flexibility, robustness and advanced communication and self-protection systems.
Studies indicate several possibilities for integrating new sensors, workstations and weapons to meet the operational requirements of Portugal and Brazil.
Since it entered into operation with the FAB in 2019, with the FAP in 2023 and with the Hungarian Air Force in 2024, the KC-390 has demonstrated high reliability and performance.
Its fleet has already accumulated a mission completion rate of over 99%, one of the best rates in its category, confirming that the KC-390 is the definitive successor to the Lockheed C-130 Hercules in any role.
The aircraft has been selected by 10 air forces around the world, including NATO members.
More recently, Sweden and Slovakia joined the list of KC-390 operators, which already includes Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, South Korea, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic and an undisclosed customer, which may be Uzbekistan.
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