The Government of Portugal has released an announcement that a country based firm order five multi-mission air lifters Embraer KC-390 in order to modernize Portuguese Air Force capacities to support national Armed Forces operations and increase readiness in missions of public interest. It is noted that deliveries will take place in 2023.
The KC-390 is modernly designed as per the new aviation standards for efficiency and productivity. The aircraft can perform different types of military and civilian missions including humanitarian support, medical evacuation, search and rescue and firefighting, while fully meeting the requirements of the Portuguese Air Force, adding new superior cargo and troops transport, aerial delivery and aerial refueling capabilities.
President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security Jackson Schneider said “Today is a historic day for the KC-390 Program and I want to thank those who have contributed to the project. This is a very important step to consolidate the aircraft which we believe will become another success for Embraer. The Portuguese KC-390 will meet new inter ability requirements, in the areas of secure navigation, data and voice transmission that will allow the KC-390 to integrate joint operations in multinational alliances in which Portugal is integrated. These requirements, developed in partnership with the Portuguese Air Force, will enable the KC-390 to meet the needs of many other nations around the world.” He also added that
“The industrial partnership between Portugal and Embraer contributes to the development of engineering and the Portuguese aeronautics industry, representing more than 300 million euros in exports each year and thousands of highly skilled jobs.”
Portugal is the largest international partner of the KC-390 Program and its participation in the development and production of the aircraft is recognized as having had a positive economic impact, new investments, increased exports and technological advancement.
The KC-390 has received its Civil Certification from the Brazilian National Aviation Agency (ANAC) in 2018. After the certification company is in full swing for the development of serial production.