Brazil-based major aerospace and defence group Embraer has announced that it has reached agreement with the Brazilian Air Force (abbreviated to FAB in Portuguese) over the restructuring of the latter’s order for KC-390 multimission – airlifter and air-to-air refuelling (AAR) – aircraft. The aircraft is powered with two turbofan (not turboprop) engines and those examples not fitted with AAR capability are designated the C-390.

Also known to Embraer by the name Millenium, the KC-390/C-390 represents a major project for the company. Not only is it the biggest aircraft it has ever developed, but the programme sees the Brazilian group for the first time directly challenging one of the world’s greatest defence aerospace groups, Lockheed Martin of the US. The KC-390/C-390 is a direct challenger to the American company’s renowned and multimission KC-130J/C-130J Hercules.

Embraer launched the KC-390 project with the signing of a 2014 contract with the FAB, which helped develop the aircraft, under which the air force would buy 28 of the aircraft. But in May last year the Brazilian government stated that it would cut that order, as a result of financial constraints imposed by an economic downturn. In November, there were indications that the FAB would cut its order by nearly 50%, to just 15 aircraft. This would have inflicted severe economic damage on Embraer and the company reacted strongly to the suggestion.

The result was negotiations between the group and the FAB that have now borne fruit. In terms of their agreement, announced on Tuesday, the FAB will cut its KC-390 order, but only by six aircraft, to 22. And deliveries will be stretched out to 2034. “The new production rates are aligned with the FAB’s budget conditions while allowing Embraer long-term planning with its suppliers,” stated the company.

Embraer delivered the first KC-390 to the FAB in late 2019 and four are currently in service. The type has so far won two export contracts, to Hungary (two aircraft) and Portugal (five).

“The KC-390 can accomplish a wide array of missions, including humanitarian support, medical evacuation, search and rescue, and transporting and launching cargo and troops,” highlighted Embraer. “Bringing unique innovations in its category, the aircraft has been successfully placed in FAB humanitarian missions in Brazil, in the fight against Covid-19, and abroad, such as supporting victims in Lebanon and Haiti.”