The multi-mission aircraft is the first to operate outside Brazil

The first KC-390 Millennium of the Portuguese Air Force (FAP) has entered into service at the Beja Air Base, in Portugal. Besides meeting the requirements of the Portuguese National Aeronautical Authority (AAN) it includes standard NATO equipment.

The latter equipment integration in the KC-390 follows an extensive flight tests campaign in Portugal in a joint effort between Embraer, Indústria Aeronáutica de Portugal (OGMA), and the FAP. The entry into service occurred following a ceremony held on 16 October at the Embraer plant in Gavião Peixoto, Brazil.

The FAP ordered five KC-390 in 2019, along with comprehensive services and support agreement and a flight simulator.

“This is a wonderful time for us, as we witness the first KC-390 Millennium enter into service outside Brazil. The Portuguese Air Force is an Embraer’s strategic partner, having supported us since the beginning of the KC-390 Millenium’s internationalization. Embraer and the Portuguese Air Force will continue working together to advance our long-term projects for years to come,” said Walter Pinto Junior, COO of Embraer Defense & Security.

According to Brigadier-General João Nogueira, President of the KC-390 Program Supervision and Monitoring Mission, “the entry into service of this aircraft is significant for the Portuguese Air Force and Portugal, as it completes the development and production of a multi-value aircraft capable of the most demanding operational scenarios. The requirements set by the Portuguese Air Force have taken this aircraft to an even higher technological and capability level,”

The multi-mission military tactical transport aircraft offers high mobility, productivity and operational flexibility with low operating costs. The C-390 can carry more payload (26 tons) than other military similar transport, it flies faster and farther and can carry out a wide range of missions such as transport and launch of cargo and troops, aeromedical evacuation, SAR, firefighting and humanitarian missions. The aircraft is cleared to refuel several different fighter aircraft and can refuel other KC-390s using the underwing pods.

In addition to Portugal, the multi-mission platform has orders from Brazil and Hungary and has been selected by the Netherlands and Austria. Embraer is also currently negotiating with the Czech Republic to acquire the KC-390.