Global aerospace company Embraer has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with South African aerospace and defence company Denel to collaborate on the KC-390 Millennium aircraft.

The MoU focuses on aerostructures manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul activities, as South Africa looks to replace its legacy military aircraft.

“Our longstanding relationship spans several decades and this collaboration will further strengthen our ties,” says Denel aerospace group executive Chris Boshoff.

He adds that Denel is a well-equipped and suitably qualified industrial partner that can undertake the necessary tasks envisaged for the collaboration, which will significantly enhance the strategic airlift support capabilities on the African continent.

In turn, Embraer defence and security contracts VP Fabio Caparica says the company is pleased to strengthen its ties with Denel and provide the most advanced aircraft in its category while cooperating with South Africa’s defence industry.

NEXT-GEN AIRCRAFT

The KC-390 Millennium is a next-generation military transport aircraft particularly suited for operations in South Africa. Its versatility, ease of reconfiguration between two missions and ability to operate from unprepared airstrips make it an ideal, cost-efficient aircraft for the modern armed forces of the African continent.

The KC-390 Millennium can carry more payload (26 t) than other medium-sized military transport aircraft and flies faster (470 knots) and farther, being capable of performing a range of missions including humanitarian aid, transport and airdrop of cargo and troops, air-to-air refueling both as tanker and receiver, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting and special operations, while operating from temporary or unpaved runways such as packed earth, soil and gravel.

Eight countries have already acquired KC-390 aircraft. These are Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, South Korea, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, and an undisclosed customer. It has also been officially selected by Sweden and Slovakia to modernise their air forces.

Since entering service with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, the Portuguese Air Force in 2023 and, most recently the Hungarian Air Force in 2024, the KC-390 Millennium multimission military aircraft has proven its capability, reliability and performance.

The current global fleet of KC-390 Millennium aircraft presents mission completion rates exceeding 99%, demonstrating exceptional productivity in its segment.