Brazil sees wide opportunities for KC-390 airlifter

An Embraer KC-390 in Portuguese markings. (Embraer)

Brazil is negotiating with several countries to sell the Embraer KC-390 Millennium tactical transport aircraft, Brazilian Air Force (FAB) commander Lieutenant Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno told the Brazilian senate's Foreign Relations and National Defense Committee (CREDN) on 4 May.

Lt Brig Damasceno revealed Austria, the Czech Republic, Egypt, India, Rwanda, South Africa, South Korea, and Sweden as potential buyers for the KC-390.

The KC-390 has to date been purchased by Brazil, Hungary, and Portugal. Brazil has received six of the 19 aircraft it is scheduled to receive by 2034. Hungary ordered two aircraft in November 2020, and the first unit is scheduled to be delivered in 2024. The Portuguese Air Force is scheduled to receive the first of five aircraft ordered in August 2019 later in 2023.

The Netherlands selected the Brazilian platform in 2022 – the Dutch model is to be designated C-390M. However, a contract for five aircraft has not yet been concluded.