FREDERICO LEMOS
CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER, EMBRAER DEFENSE & SECURITY

Jayant Baranwal (Baranwal): On C-390
(a): Can you share the progress update?

Frederico Lemos (Lemos): The C-390 multi-mission aircraft programme has been growing from strength to strength and our recent activities reflect it.

At the start of September, the first C-390 Millennium multimission aircraft was delivered to the Hungarian Air Force. The aircraft is the first in the world equipped with a roll-on/rolloff Intensive Care Unit, enhancing the capability to perform humanitarian missions and Medical Evacuation Missions. The Hungarian C-390 is fully compatible with NATO requirements, not only in terms of its hardware but also in its avionics and communications configuration.

At the Farnborough Airshow in July, The Netherlands and Austria collectively signed the contract for the acquisition of nine Embraer C-390 Millennium aircraft - five aircraft for the Royal Netherlands Air Force and four aircraft for the Austrian Air Force.

This joint order will enable both countries to increase their ability to rapidly deploy or evacuate equipment and personnel worldwide, even under difficult operational conditions. The enhanced tactical airlift capacity provided by the C-390 increases operational flexibility and responsiveness, provides logistical support in various missions and operations, and enables a wide range of humanitarian and medical tasks.

To recap, the C-390 Millennium has been selected by seven countries: Brazil, Portugal (NATO configuration), Hungary (NATO), Austria, Netherlands (NATO), Czech Republic (NATO), and notably in Asia, South Korea.

Since entering operation with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019 and the Portuguese Air Force in 2023, and now the Hungarian Air Force, the C-390 continuously proves capacity, reliability, and performance. The current fleet of aircraft in operation has accumulated more than 14,000 flight hours, with mission capable rate of 93 per cent and mission completion rates above 99 per cent, demonstrating exceptional productivity in the category.

(b): Which of countries in Asia are the promising and potential customers of C-390?

Lemos: We are very honoured by South Korea’s selection of the C-390 Millennium and that has further triggered interest in the C-390 across the region because of the platform’s agility and versatility. Our market research has shown that across the globe, there are around 260 tactical airlifters that are over 45 years old and due for retirement, with 34 per cent stemming from the APAC region. We are having active discussions with countries across Asia, especially India, on how the C-390 can enhance their capabilities.

A modern platform like the C-390 can enable air forces to achieve more in their Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions. The C-390 can carry more payload (26 tons) compared to other medium-sized military transport aircraft and flies faster (470 knots) and farther, being capable of performing a wide range of missions such as transporting and dropping cargo and troops, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian missions, operating on temporary or unpaved runways such as packed earth, soil, and gravel.

“Our intention is to build a robust ecosystem that will enable us to contribute to the capabilities of the local defence and aerospace industries.”

In addition, beyond the benefits of the aircraft platform, our intention is to build a robust ecosystem that will enable us to contribute to the capabilities of the local defence and aerospace industries.

India is a key market for us and the Netra AEW&C, based on the ERJ145 platform, that we built in cooperation with DRDO, has contributed to the country’s national security. We aspire to grow further in the country.

(c): Give us examples of missions and exercises that the C-390 has been involved in

Lemos: The C-390 has taken part in a variety of missions and exercises that applies its capabilities and performance across various conditions. It is undertaken alongside other aircraft which proves the C-390 interoperability capabilities.

• In March 2024, the FAB’s C-390 Millennium participated in the Storm Flag Operational Exercise, in Louisiana, United States. The objective was to strengthen the partnership and interoperability between Brazilian and United States Air Forces, in addition to contributing to the improvement of Tactics, Techniques and Procedures related to the use of transport aviation in conflict environments.
• In October 2022, a KC-390 Millennium (C-390 equipped with Air-to-Air Refuelling equipment) took part in the Multinational Combined Air Exercise SALITRE IV, performing in-flight refuelling missions. The exercise was held in the Atacama Desert region, Chile, and involved other air forces from South America, the United States and Canada, increasing their interoperability through common planning in a NATO format.

Further examples of the C-390 in action:

• In June 2024, the C-390 was deployed to combat fires in the region of Pantanal, Brazil. The multi-mission aircraft was equipped with the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS II), which provides the C-390 Millennium capability to deploying up to 3,000 gallons of water (approximately 11,300 litres), both with and without fire retardant. The aircraft dropped over 1 million litres of water during this flawless operation.
• Rations and supplies to flood-hit Rio Grande do Sul in 2024.
• Humanitarian evacuation in Poland (2022) when war in Ukraine broke out.
• Humanitarian aid to Haiti following an earthquake where firefighter equipment and medicines were transported to the country.
• Transport of ambulance and oxygen equipment across Brazil during COVID crisis.
• In 2022, the Brazilian Air Force undertook cargo airdrops with the C-390 Millennium in Antarctica, reinforcing the aircraft’s performance across varying climates and conditions. The aircraft took off from the city of Punta Arenas, south of Chile, carrying supplies to the Brazilian research station and back non-stop.

Baranwal: On Collaborations

(a): Are you fine with transfer of technology to countries like India which may have a larger number requirements of such a programme?

(b): Does Brazilian Government back the programme?

(c): What, if C-390 selected by India, the route of cooperation will be? Will the process involve Brazilian Government dealing with Government of India?

(d): Is Brazil open to share the first-hand technology / first-hand technology programmes with its potential customer countries around the world?

Lemos: Industrial partnership is a cornerstone in our C-390 programme. Building on the strong country relations between India and Brazil, as demonstrated by recent high-level visits to India from Brazil’s Foreign Minister and the Commander of the Brazilian Air Force, we look forward to harnessing the synergies that exist between the robust defence and aerospace industries of both India and Brazil.

A high-level delegation from Embraer visited India, in its latest series of visits, to evaluate the expansion of its supply chain into the country. We foresee potential suppliers across defence, commercial aviation and executive jets businesses for areas such as aerostructures, machining, sheet metal, composites, forgings, wire harness, and hardware and software development, given the advance aerospace engineering capabilities in India.

“We see India as a key partner in the region and may include an assembly line for the C-390 in India, if selected for the MTA programme.”

We see India as a key partner in the region and together with Mahindra, with whom we announced an MoU in February, we look forward to implementing an extensive local supply chain programme. This initiative may include an assembly line for the C-390 in India, if selected for the MTA programme. Tied with a local long-term support programme offer, Embraer and Mahindra aim to contribute to the “Make in India” and Atmanibhar Bharat objectives.

Baranwal: On MRO solutions

(a): Please give us little details on the MRO-centric solutions on the part of Embraer Defense & Security; (MRO - Maintenance, Repair and Operations)

(b): What’s the turnaround timing for any customer in the world?

Lemos: Embraer MRO network consists of owned service centres as well as authorised service centres. We are constantly assessing how we can tap on the MRO capabilities of our customer’s home market, with the aim of ensuring that the reliability and operability of our defence aircraft remains high.

Baranwal: On India’s Netra – AEW&C

(a): Former Indian Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari, in one of exclusive interviews with us, told us there is a requirement of additional six Embraer jets for this programme. How do you perceive this progress?

(b): India’s Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has been the key organisation collaborating in the context of this particular collaboration. What has been the experience of Embraer with such a partnership?

(c): Can you share an update on this front?

Lemos: The Indian AEW&C Netra was jointly developed and produced by DRDO and Embraer. Three aircraft in this configuration have been operational for several years with positive feedback.

Beyond that, the partnership has allowed for knowledge sharing and mutual learning, benefiting both organisations. We have appreciated DRDO’s technical acumen and their commitment to developing advanced defence technologies.

“The Indian AEW&C Netra was jointly developed and produced by DRDO and Embraer. Three aircraft in this configuration have been operational for several years with positive feedback.”

We share India’s pride in this project and view it as an example of an excellent partnership between DRDO and Embraer but also a reflection of strong ties and cooperation between India and Brazil. We are keen to repeat this success story and see opportunities for further collaboration that will grow relations between both countries and foster greater South-South cooperation.

(d): Which are countries, as of today, are operating Embraer jets for such a specialised role?

Lemos: We are very proud to have India, Brazil, Mexico and Greece as operators of the Embraer AEW&C platform.