As part of the Brazilian Air Force’s (FAB) air transport modernization program, Embraer has completed the delivery of another KC-390 Millennium aircraft. This addition represents the eighth unit to enter service with the FAB, thus consolidating the progress of a program that envisions the total delivery of 19 aircraft by 2034.
The KC-390 Millennium entered service with the FAB in 2019 and, since then, has carried out a wide range of missions including cargo and troop transport, aerial refueling, aeromedical evacuation, humanitarian assistance, and firefighting operations. Its multi-mission capability has made it an essential asset for the Air Force, replacing the historic C-130 Hercules, which for more than five decades ensured Brazil’s strategic airlift capability.
The program, launched in 2014 with an initial goal of acquiring 28 aircraft over nine years, underwent modifications due to budget adjustments and the need to align production with international demand. As a result, the total number was reduced to 19 aircraft, with deliveries to be spread over 16 years. Confirmation of this rescheduling was announced during a public hearing in Congress, where the guidelines of Constitutional Amendment Proposal 55/2023 were presented.
The previously delivered aircraft was handed over in September 2024 and assigned to the FAB’s 1st Air Transport Group at Galeão Air Base. Since then, the fleet has accumulated more than 14,000 flight hours, with an availability rate exceeding 99%. These figures not only demonstrate the model’s reliability but also its impact on strengthening Brazil’s air capabilities, which now include a modern and flexible platform capable of responding to emergencies and large-scale operations.
With a maximum payload of 26 tons and a cruise speed of 470 knots, the KC-390 Millennium can operate on short or unpaved runways, perform aerial refueling using Cobham pods, conduct tactical deployments, and participate in international humanitarian missions. These features make it a direct competitor to the C-130J Super Hercules, offering advantages in cost per ton transported and in design modernity.
Alongside its service in the FAB, the KC-390 has already gained a foothold in the international market, with confirmed orders from European countries such as Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Lithuania. This expansion not only secures the program’s future but also reinforces Embraer’s role as a key player in the global aerospace industry, while Brazil continues to move toward a more modern and capable fleet to face the challenges of the coming decades.
Images used for illustrative purposes only.
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