FIDAE 2024: Brazilian Air Force signs MOU with Embraer to study specia…

An artist's conception of the C-390 in a maritime role. (Embraer)

The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Embraer on 10 April at the FIDAE 2024 airshow in Santiago, Chile, to study adapting the C-390 transport aircraft for special missions.

Potential uses under study include maritime patrol and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The C-390 is primarily a transport and air-to-air tanker aircraft, with no additional variants in service.

Embraer has delivered six C-390 to the FAB, Bosco da Costa Jr, president of Embraer Defense and Security, told Janes at the FIDAE airshow. The service has 13 more on order, according to Janes World Air Forces . Studying the C-390's adaptability would “maximise commonality and technological autonomy”, FAB Commander Lieutenant-Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno said in a statement.

Brazil operates a fleet of Lockheed Martin P-3s, Embraer C-95s, Airbus C-295s, and other aircraft types in maritime surveillance roles. The country has an extensive coastline and significant offshore interests.

For more information, please seeEmbraer C-390 Millennium .