S. Korea’s First Embraer C-390 Takes Flight

EMBRAER’S first C-390 Millennium for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has successfully completed its maiden flight in the skies over Sao Paulo, undergoing a complete evaluation in flight and will now enter a period of testing and integration of specific systems to meet the requirements of the ROKAF as Asia’s first C-390 operator.

Earlier in February, the aircraft reached the final stage of its assembly process ahead of the production flights and specific systems integration. South Korea selected the C-390 under the Large Transport Aircraft (LTA-II) requirement in 2023, making them Embraer’s first Millennium customer in Asia.

Already selected by air forces in Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Sweden, the Republic of Uzbekistan, Slovakia and Lithuania, the C-390 offers unmatched capability, reliability, versatility and performance to serve tactical and strategic needs of air forces worldwide. 

The C-390 is the most modern military transport aircraft in its class and can carry more payload (26 tonnes) compared to other medium-sized military transport aircraft, flying faster (470 knots) and farther. It can perform a wide range of missions including cargo and troop transport, equipment and personnel airdrop, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian operations. It can also operate from temporary or unpaved runways. The aircraft configured with quick-installation air-to-air refuelling (AAR) equipment under the designation KC-390 can operate both as a tanker and as a receiver. The Millennium is fully interoperable within the NATO environment and especially suitable for Agile Combat Employment (ACE) operations.

The C-390 can operate on temporary or unpaved runways, including packed earth, soil and gravel and in conditions ranging from humid to hot and high or cold and dry. A capability which would be of advantage to potential customers in Southeast Asia.

Embraer’s C-390 is also equipped with a modern and comprehensive suite of sensors and communication equipment that support vital connectivity between aircraft, operational commands, and troops on the ground. Additionally, the C-390’s robust integrated electronic warfare and self-protection system drive survivability.

Since entering operation with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, the Portuguese Air Force in 2023 and, most recently with the Hungarian Air Force in 2024, the KC-390 Millennium has proven its capability, reliability, and performance. The current fleet in operation has demonstrated a mission capability rate of 93% and mission completion rates above 99%. 

In a related development, Embraer presented the KC‑390 Millennium to Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze Nr 2 S.A. (WZL‑2) in Poland, marking the first concrete step since the landmark memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed last December which established the foundation for deeper industrial and technological collaboration.

Its arrival at WZL-2 underscores Embraer’s commitment to strengthening industrial partnerships with the Polish aerospace and defence industry. The cooperation between Embraer and WZL-2 focuses on establishing a comprehensive maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capability for the KC-390 Millennium in Poland. This initiative will enhance operational readiness of the KC-390 while fostering local expertise and industrial growth.–shp/adj/dl (Pix:EMBRAER)