The Portuguese Air Force (PRT AF) officially announced its intention to join Embraer, a global aerospace leader, and the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) in collaborative studies to identify potential adaptations to the current KC-390 Millennium multi-mission tactical airlift to perform Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

The announcement took place today at a ceremony during LAAD Defense & Security exhibition with the presence of General João Cartaxo Alves, Commander of the Portuguese Air Force; Lieutenant-Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, Commander of the Brazilian Air Force; Francisco Gomes Neto, president and CEO of Embraer; and Bosco da Costa Junior, President & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.

During the ceremony, a concept image of the modular ISR roll-on/roll-off mission system currently under development was presented. This solution will allow the KC-390 to perform ISR missions while maintaining all its multi-mission capabilities.

“The collaborative work with Embraer is evolving efficiently and in a structured manner, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of the KC-390 Millennium for the current and future needs of the Brazilian Air Force. We see a great potential of the aircraft for ISR and maritime patrol missions. The Brazilian Air Force welcomes the Portuguese Air Force in joining this study, bringing their knowledge and experience to enhance the potential solution,” said Lieutenant Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, Brazilian Air Force Commander.”

“We are delighted with the Portuguese Air Force decision to join the studies for this new application for the KC-390 Millennium. Since the beginning of the program, our Brazilian and Portuguese partners have been crucial in making the KC-390 program an undeniable operational and technical success,” said Bosco da Costa da Junior, President & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.

Supported by characteristics already present in the KC-390 Millennium, such as its flexibility, robustness, state-of-the-art communication and self-protection systems, the studies have pointed to several possibilities and solutions for the integration of new mission systems, sensors, workstations, and weapons, in addition to meeting the operational expectations of the Portuguese and Brazilian Air Forces.

Since entering service with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, with the Portuguese Air Force in 2023 and, most recently, with the Hungarian Air Force in 2024, the KC-390 Millennium has proven its capability, reliability and performance. The current fleet of the aircraft in operation accumulates a mission completion rate of more than 99%, demonstrating exceptional productivity in its category.

This revolutionary aircraft was selected by 10 air forces around the world, including many NATO members. Most recently, Sweden and Slovakia chose the KC-390 Millennium as their new tactical transport aircraft. So far, the KC-390 has been chosen by Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, South Korea, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic and an undisclosed customer.