KC-390 order for Brazil fluctuates
The FAB now requires 22 KC-390 aircraft. (Photo: FAB)
Brazil had almost halved its KC-390 order from 28 aircraft to 15, but now it requires 22 in line with new 'budget conditions' for the Brazilian Air Force.
An air of indecision continues to surround the KC-390 Millennium military transport/tanker aircraft programme for the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) after it amended its plans for a second time.
‘Thus, the total number of aircraft to be contracted by the FAB will be reduced from 28 to 22 units, with deliveries scheduled until 2034,’ KC-390 manufacturer Embraer announced in a 9 February statement. ‘The new production rates are aligned with the FAB’s budget conditions while allowing Embraer long-term planning with its suppliers.’
Shephard Defence Insight estimates a unit cost of $85 million for the KC-390, meaning that the new 22-aircraft requirement gives a programme value of $1.87 billion.
The FAB awarded Embraer a contract in May 2014 to supply 28 KC-390 military transport/tanker aircraft, including a logistical support package comprising spare parts and maintenance.
In November 2021 the FAB announced that it was reducing its order from 28 to 15 aircraft, but it now appears confident enough to order 22.
Despite the fluctuating numbers from the FAB, Embraer continued assembly work on the KC-390 in 2021 with other orders in place from Portugal (five aircraft) and Hungary (two).
However, ‘there are signs that budgets of some important customers have become strained following spending to fight the [COVID-19] pandemic and its economic impacts’, Embraer noted in its Q2 2021 financial results.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line]()
Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line
As the launch customer for the NATO-configured variant, Portugal also took delivery of the first five A-29N aircraft from its order for 12, placed in 2024.
-
![Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order]()
Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order
The first of the 12 M-346 aircraft are expected to be delivered to the Austrian Air Force by 2028, according to the company.
-
![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.
