Embraer announced yesterday that the Fuerza Aeroespacial Colombiana (FAC) has signed a contract for the acquisition of two KC-390 "Millennium" multi-mission aircraft. It also includes mission equipment, an integrated services and support package, and a comprehensive offset program designed to meet Colombia’s regulatory requirements.

The FAC’s KC-390 "Millennium" fleet will be capable of performing a wide range of missions, including humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, cargo and troop transport, airdrop operations, and air-to-air refueling. The aircraft will also feature full connectivity to operate seamlessly alongside Colombia’s recently acquired "Gripen" fighters.

The KC-390 "Millennium", built and designed in the 21st century, can carry more payload (26 tons) compared to other medium-sized military transport airplane, flying faster (470 knots) and farther. It can perform a wide range of missions, including cargo and troop transport, equipment and personnel airdrops, medical evacuation, search and rescue (SAR), firefighting, and humanitarian missions, operating from temporary or unpaved runways. The aircraft, when configured with quick-installation air-to-air refueling equipment (AAR), can operate both as a tanker and as a receiver.

In addition to the Brazilian Air Force, this next-generation multi-mission aircraft has been selected by the air forces of Portugal, Hungary, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Uzbekistan, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, Slovakia, and Lithuania.