Brazilian manufacturer Embraer took another important step in the international expansion of the military transport aircraft KC-390 Millennium by officially presenting the aircraft to the Polish company Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze Nr 2 S.A., in the city of Bydgoszcz, Poland.
The event, held this Friday (13), marks the first concrete step in the strategic cooperation between the two companies and strengthens Embraer’s presence in the European aerospace and defense industry. The initiative continues the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on December 2, 2025, in Warsaw, which established the foundations for deeper industrial and technological collaboration.
Partnership for KC-390 maintenance and support in Europe
The cooperation between Embraer and WZL-2 is focused on creating a complete KC-390 Millennium maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capability in Poland.
This center will help expand the aircraft’s operational availability while strengthening the local defense industry through knowledge transfer and the development of technical capabilities.
According to Douglas Lobo, Vice President of Customer Support and Aftermarket Sales at Embraer Services & Support, the partnership represents a strategic step toward strengthening industrial cooperation.
“This event materializes the shared vision of Embraer and WZL-2 for innovation and collaboration in the defense industry. By working closely with the Polish industry, we aim to build a robust cooperation that generates long-term value for the country and contributes to the European defense community,” he said.
KC-390 already operates in three air forces
The KC-390 Millennium entered service with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019. It later began operating with the Portuguese Air Force in 2023 and the Hungarian Air Force in 2024.
The fleet in operation has shown high performance levels, with a mission availability rate of 93% and a mission completion rate above 99%, demonstrating reliability and operational efficiency.
High performance and multiple missions
The C-390 is one of the most modern medium military transport aircraft in the world. The aircraft can carry up to 26 tons of cargo, surpassing other aircraft in the same category, and can operate at speeds of up to 470 knots.
Designed for high-complexity missions, the KC-390 can perform a wide range of operations, including:
- troop and cargo transport
- airdrop of equipment
- medical evacuation
- search and rescue
- firefighting
- humanitarian missions
The aircraft can also operate from unpaved or temporary runways, such as compacted dirt and gravel.
In the KC-390 version, equipped for aerial refueling, the aircraft can act both as a tanker and as a receiver of fuel, including receiving fuel from another KC-390 through pods installed under the wings.
With the new industrial cooperation in Poland, Embraer reinforces its strategy to consolidate the KC-390 Millennium as one of the leading military transport and aerial refueling platforms in the international market.
Source and images: Embraer. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
