Embraer C-390

Several key aircraft fleets of the Royal Saudi Air Force are expected to reach the end of their operational service life during this decade, increasing the urgency to identify successor platforms.

Lithuania has become the latest NATO member to select the Embraer C-390 as its future airlifter.

Embraer is working to refine its evolution of the KC-390 over the coming year to define its maritime patrol aircraft and refueling boom strategy.

Embraer Defense hosted a demo flight of the KC-390 Millennium, its multi-mission military aircraft, during the 2025 Paris Air Show.

Portugal has exercised an option for a sixth Embraer KC-390 and taken options for 10 more.

Denmark, Finland and Sweden have signed a declaration of intent to join NATO’s Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Fleet.

Embraer is soliciting requirements from the Brazilian Air Force and Portuguese Air Force on a potential maritime patrol version of the C-390 airlifter.

It seems that a value can now be placed on the importance and capability of the growing fleet of C-390 Millenniums to European air arms.

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Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

According to data from Aviation Week Intelligence Network’s Fleet Discovery Military tool, the global fleet of C-390s will increase more than 500% by 2035, from the ten in service today to 51 in 2035.

Embraer is hoping other customers can emulate the KC-390’s smooth entry into service with the Portuguese Air Force.

Embraer says Portugal has joined an ongoing study by the Brazilian Air Force to adapt the C-390 for surveillance missions.

Sweden will buy four Embraer C-390s through a multinational contracting vehicle established last July by the Netherlands.

Rheinmetall is due to start delivering to the Netherlands simulators for Embraer C-390 transport aircraft under a recently agreed deal.

Embraer will propose a regional hub in India that will assemble and even export C-390 airlifters, if the country acquires it for the MTA requirement.

Embraer says it ended 2024 with a 3.3-times book-to-bill ratio for its defense business by value on the strength of C-390 and A-29 order intake.

Even if the Middle East is no longer the only game in town for defense exports, it still has ample appetite for advanced equipment, from drones to transports.

After being passed over by Spain, Leonardo nets an Austrian purchase of 12 M-346 trainers.

The company says the opening of the Embraer Defense Europe office demonstrates its increased commitment to European defense and security activities.

The Slovak Defense Ministry signed a letter of intent with its Brazilian counterpart to deepen industrial ties, Embraer says.

Embraer has signed agreements with Dutch companies to support the country’s acquisition of C-390 Millennium airlifters.

Sweden's selection of the C-390 forms part of a declaration to expand the aviation partnership beyond the ongoing joint development of the Gripen E/F fighter.

The agreement “acknowledges the mutual desire to strengthen and expand cooperation and investment,” an Oct. 30 Embraer press release says.

Embraer’s interest in the U.S. tactical airlift market is no mystery. The Defense Department operates more than 550 C-130s alone.