Embraer bolsters South Korean ties to boost transport aircraft bid
The C-390 is competing for the Large Transport Aircraft II programme that is run by South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration. (Photo: Embraer)
Embraer is seeking to increase collaboration with South Korean industry as its C-390 Millennium jet competes for Seoul's Large Transport Aircraft II requirement.
Embraer has signed a number of MoUs with South Korean companies Aerospace Technology of Global (ASTG), EMK and Kencoa Aerospace, the Brazilian airframer announced on 27 October.
The objective of these MoUs is to strengthen collaboration with South Korean defence industry partners for the future supply of parts for the C-390 Millennium aircraft.
The C-390 is competing for the Large Transport Aircraft (LTA) II programme that is run by South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
The potential supply of domestically manufactured parts is set to contribute to the offset requirements for LTA II.
Existing customers of the C-390 are the Brazilian Air Force (in KC-390 aerial refuelling configuration), the Netherlands, Portugal and Hungary.
Concurrently, South Korea also seeks a new heavy-lift transport aircraft to support overseas deployments and domestic operations.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Large Transport Aircraft-II (LTA-II) [South Korea]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![2025 UAV market review: $7.8 billion in new contracts signed as US leads spending]()
2025 UAV market review: $7.8 billion in new contracts signed as US leads spending
Qatar and Indonesia followed the US’s high spending on new uncrewed aerial vehicle contracts across 2025, while MALE and micro drones and loitering munitions were particularly popular subcategories this year.
-
![German Navy in “ramp-up” phase as it welcomes first NH90 Sea Tiger delivery]()
German Navy in “ramp-up” phase as it welcomes first NH90 Sea Tiger delivery
With all 31 aircraft set to be delivered by 2030, the helicopters will gradually replace the ageing Sea Lynx fleet which are due to be retired in 2026.
-
![The future is here: Sixth-gen air dominance]()
The future is here: Sixth-gen air dominance
How RTX is equipping the military airspace – for today’s fleet and tomorrow’s fight.
