Embraer reaches new agreement with Brazilian Air Force on reduced KC-390 order

Embraer has reached an agreement with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) to reduce a planned order for KC-390 transport aircraft. 

Under the agreement, the FAB will now take 22 KC-390 aircraft, down from an initial 28 units. Deliveries have now been scheduled out until 2034, Embraer said. The previous contract was for deliveries until 2027.  

The Brazilian Air Force had said in June 2021 that it wanted to reduce the order due to fiscal and budget constraints due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2021, the FAB announced it was cutting the order to 15 aircraft, although Embraer did not agree to this.  

The new agreement, announced on February 9, 2022, therefore represents a better outcome for Embraer than the November decision. 

“The new production rates are aligned with the FAB’s budget conditions while allowing Embraer long-term planning with its suppliers,” Embraer said in a statement.   

The KC-390 is a multi-mission aircraft, which can provide humanitarian support, medical evacuation, search and rescue, troop and cargo transport, as well as aerial refueling. 

The FAB currently has five KC-390s in operation and has been using them to help transport medical equipment and supplies across the country in the fight against COVID-19.  

Embraer also has orders for five of the transport aircraft from Portugal and two from Hungary.