Embraer announced at the Paris Air Show that the Portuguese government has opted to expand its KC-390 Millennium fleet with the addition of a sixth aircraft. The initial agreement, signed in August 2019, covered the purchase of five KC-390s. The expanded fleet will bolster the Portuguese Air Force’s (FAP) capacity to perform a wide range of military and public service missions.
Embraer and FAP also plan to include ten optional aircraft in the existing contract, intended for future acquisitions by NATO or other European countries through government-to-government deals with Portugal. This framework would foster interoperability, streamline logistics and training, reduce lifecycle costs, and support the Portuguese aerospace ecosystem’s ongoing development.
The KC-390 Millennium offers exceptional mission flexibility, capable of carrying out troop and cargo transport, medical evacuation, aerial firefighting, search and rescue, humanitarian operations, aerial refueling, and maritime patrols. The aircraft’s ability to refuel in-flight and operate from short runways makes it especially well-suited to Portugal’s defense requirements.
With an impressive 99% mission completion rate and cost-effective operations, the KC-390 is recognized for its reliability, versatility, and interoperability—all key advantages for air forces seeking multi-role capability in a single, integrated platform.
