By Brazil Stock Guide – Colombia signed a contract to acquire two KC-390 Millennium military transport aircraft from Embraer SA (NYSE: EMBJ; B3: EMBJ3), expanding its airlift, humanitarian response and aerial refueling capabilities.
The Brazilian planemaker announced the agreement on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Colombia becomes the first Latin American country outside Brazil — and the 13th globally — to select the KC-390, according to Embraer. Financial terms and the delivery schedule weren’t disclosed.
The contract includes mission equipment, integrated services and support, as well as an industrial cooperation program designed to comply with Colombian regulatory requirements.
The Colombian Aerospace Force, known as FAC, plans to deploy the aircraft for cargo and troop transport, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, medical evacuation, search-and-rescue operations and the airdrop of personnel and equipment.
The KC-390s will also be equipped to conduct in-flight refueling and operate with Colombia’s recently acquired Gripen fighter jets. Embraer said the integration will increase operational readiness and interoperability across the country’s military fleet.
“We are honored by the FAC’s decision to select the KC-390 Millennium,” Bosco da Costa Junior, president and chief executive officer of Embraer Defense & Security, said in the statement. “This choice reinforces a partnership that spans more than 35 years, beginning with the FAC’s acquisition of its first Embraer aircraft, an EMB-312 Tucano, followed by the A-29 Super Tucano. The KC-390 will significantly expand and strengthen Colombia’s airlift and in-flight refueling capabilities, setting a new standard of operational excellence.”
Aircraft Carries as Much as 26 Tons
The KC-390 can carry as much as 26 metric tons and reach a cruise speed of 470 knots, or about 870 kilometers per hour. The aircraft can operate from temporary and unpaved runways, allowing deployment in areas with limited airport infrastructure.
When fitted with a rapid-installation aerial refueling system, the KC-390 can operate as both a tanker and a fuel-receiving aircraft. It can also be configured for firefighting and other emergency missions.
Beyond Brazil, the military aircraft has been selected by Portugal, Hungary, South Korea, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Uzbekistan, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, Slovakia and Lithuania.
Embraer, based in Brazil, manufactures commercial, executive, agricultural and military aircraft. Founded in 1969, the company has delivered more than 9,000 aircraft and operates industrial facilities, service centers and parts-distribution networks across the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe.
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