Portugal signs an amendment to the existing contract for the acquisition of the sixth KC-390 Millennium aircraft and the inclusion of ten new purchase options
Portugal has raised the stakes in military airlift. The Portuguese government and Embraer have signed an amendment to their existing contract, securing the acquisition of a sixth KC-390 Millennium and opening ten additional purchase options aimed at future partner nations.
Already flying the aircraft since 2023, Portugal is the first operator worldwide to expand its KC-390 fleet, reinforcing its role as a trailblazer within NATO.
“The acquisition of the sixth KC-390 significantly enhances the strategic and operational capabilities of the Portuguese Air Force,” said General João Cartaxo Alves, Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Air Force. “This expansion boosts tactical and logistical transport capacity, strengthens Air Base No. 11 as a KC-390 training hub, and positions Portugal as a key knowledge-sharing partner within NATO.”
Portugal signs an amendment to the existing contract for the acquisition of the sixth KC-390 Millennium aircraft and the inclusion of ten new purchase options
Embraer’s leadership highlighted the milestone as a global endorsement of the aircraft’s performance.
“The signing of this contract, the first of its kind by an operator, demonstrates the recognition of the quality, operational efficiency and multi-mission capability of our aircraft,” said Bosco da Costa Júnior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.
A Modern Backbone for NATO Operations
Since entering service with Brazil in 2019, Portugal in 2023, and Hungary in 2024, the KC-390 Millennium has quickly proven its worth. Today, 11 air forces across the globe—including eight European nations and seven NATO members—have selected the aircraft.
With a payload of 26 tons, a cruise speed of 470 knots, and the ability to land on unpaved runways, the KC-390 delivers unmatched versatility. From troop and cargo transport to medical evacuation, SAR, firefighting, humanitarian relief, and air-to-air refueling, the aircraft has become the benchmark for next-generation tactical mobility.
Portugal’s decision sends a clear message: the KC-390 Millennium is not just an asset—it’s the future backbone of allied air mobility.
