Brazil-based global major aerospace and defence group Embraer has brought its biggest aircraft, the C-390 Millenium multirole airlifter, to Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2024. AAD 2024 is being held at Air Force Base Waterkloof, in Centurion, just south of Pretoria.

“The C-390 Millenium is designed from the start to be versatile, it is not only excellent for military missions, but it can also perform tasks of national interest such as disaster management, medical evacuation, maritime surveillance and firefighting,” highlighted Embraer Defence & Security president and CEO Bosco da Costa Junior. “We are confident that the C-390 is a perfectly suitable aircraft for the diverse needs of the South African Air Force and ministries.”

The C-390 has a total carrying capacity of 26 t, is equipped with latest-generation avionics, and has a speed of 470 knots (nautical miles per hour – about 870 km/h). It is designed to fulfil very demanding missions to and from unpaved runways. It has a large cargo hold and a rear ramp.

Intended as a strategic asset, the aircraft can undertake a wide range of missions, civil as well as military. These can include freight transport, vehicle transport, personnel transport, special operations, maritime surveillance, air-to-air refuelling (AAR), search and rescue, medical evacuation, humanitarian support, disaster management, and firefighting. It can be fitted with a roll-on/roll-off intensive care unit (an option selected by the Hungarian Air Force). When equipped for AAR, it is designated the KC-390.

The C-390 entered service with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019 and with the Portuguese Air Force last year. The first example for the Hungarian Air Force was delivered very recently. The aircraft has also been selected by Austria, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and South Korea. The aircraft currently in operational service have logged a total of more than 14 000 flying hours, with a mission capability rate of 93% and a mission completion rate of 99%.