DefensePortugal signs order for sixth KC-390 Millennium and reserves another 10 aircraft
The Portuguese government signed a contractual amendment for the purchase of the sixth KC-390 Millennium aircraft, manufactured by Embraer, expanding the fleet intended for the Portuguese Air Force (FAP). The agreement also includes the addition of ten purchase options for future acquisitions by other partner countries.
The new order marks the first additional purchase of the KC-390 by an existing operator, reinforcing the plan to modernize Portugal’s military capabilities. It had already been revealed in June during the Paris Air Show when partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
The country was the first foreign customer of the multi-role aircraft, signing a contract in 2019. Three of the five KC-390s have already been delivered, the most recent in July.
In addition to being an important operator of the military cargo plane, Portugal is positioning itself as a future support point for potential other customers of the aircraft. The 10 reserved KC-390s could be passed on to allied countries, in a scheme similar to that of the Netherlands, which is mediating purchases by Austria and Sweden.
In this sense, Air Base No. 11, in Beja, will be consolidated as a specialized training center for crews and maintenance of the KC-390. As the first NATO member to operate the model, Portugal has experience that should be shared with allied nations.
The KC-390 has already been selected by 11 air forces worldwide, eight of which are European. The proposal to expand the fleet aims to increase operational readiness for missions of public interest and international cooperation.
“The acquisition of the sixth KC-390 significantly enhances the strategic and operational capabilities of the Portuguese Air Force by substantially increasing the availability of tactical and logistical transport. This fleet expansion equips Portugal with a robust and flexible platform, enabling rapid and effective response to a broad spectrum of missions, encompassing both military operations and civilian emergency support, at national and international levels,” said General João Cartaxo Alves, Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Air Force.
“The signing of this contract, the first of its kind by an operator, demonstrates the recognition of the quality, operational efficiency and multi-mission capability of our aircraft,” said Bosco da Costa Júnior, president and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. “Portugal becomes a benchmark for European nations and NATO members looking for a state-of-the-art aircraft to equip and modernize their fleets.”
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