Embraer and the Portuguese State today signed the amendment to the current contract for the acquisition of the sixth KC-390 Millennium aircraft and the inclusion of ten new purchase options for potential acquisitions by future partner Nations. The agreement is part of the process of modernizing the capabilities of the Portuguese Air Force (PRT AF), with the aim of supporting the operations of the Armed Forces and increasing readiness in missions of public interest.

Since entering operation with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, with the Portuguese Air Force in 2023 and with the Hungarian Air Force in 2024, the KC-390 Millennium to date, has been chosen by 11 Air Forces around the world, including eight European countries and seven NATO members.

The KC-390 Millennium can carry more payload (26 tons) compared to other medium-sized military transport aircraft and flies faster (470 knots) and farther, being able to perform a wide range of missions, such as transporting and dropping cargo and troops, medical evacuation, search and rescue (SAR), firefighting and humanitarian missions, operating on temporary or unpaved runways, such as packed earth, soil and gravel. The aircraft can also be configured with air-to-air refuelling equipment (AAR), both as a tanker and as a receiver, in this case by receiving fuel from another KC-390, using pods installed under the wings.

See for details AVIONEWS.