Singapore, February 3, 2026 – Embraer announced during the Singapore Airshow that the first C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft destined for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has entered the final assembly phase.
According to the Brazilian manufacturer, the aircraft will now proceed to production flights, a stage that precedes the integration of the specific systems required by the South Korean air force. The milestone marks an important moment for the program, as the Republic of Korea became the first Asian customer of the C-390 after selecting the aircraft under the Large Transport Aircraft (LTA-II) requirement.
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Embraer Defense & Security President and CEO Bosco da Costa Jr. highlighted that the project’s progress reflects the maturity of the C-390 production line and the industrial cooperation established with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the ROKAF, and local suppliers. According to the company, the partnership with South Korean industry also contributes to strengthening the program’s global supply chain at a time when production is expanding to meet international customer demand.
Designed in the 21st century, the C-390 Millennium is currently one of the most modern military transport aircraft in its category. The aircraft can carry up to 26 tonnes of payload, fly at speeds of up to 470 knots, and operate from unpaved or temporary runways. Its mission set includes cargo and troop transport, airdrop operations, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian missions.
In the KC-390 configuration, equipped with quickly installable aerial refuelling systems, the aircraft can operate both as a tanker and as a receiver. The C-390 is fully interoperable with NATO standards and is considered suitable for Agile Combat Employment (ACE) operations.
In addition to South Korea, the C-390 Millennium has already been selected by the air forces of Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Uzbekistan, Slovakia, and Lithuania, consolidating its presence in the global military transport market.
Source and images: Embraer. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
