Embraer’s C-390 Millennium has been chosen by South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) as the preferred aircraft in the Large Transport Aircraft (LTA) II public tender, marking a significant milestone for Embraer and making South Korea the first Asian customer for the C-390 Millennium. In the signed contract, Embraer will deliver an undisclosed number of C-390 Millennium aircraft configured to meet the specific requirements of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). The contract includes comprehensive services and support, covering training, ground support equipment, and spare parts. The exact value of the contract will be included in Embraer’s backlog in the fourth quarter of 2023.
As part of the deal, Embraer will also offer a substantial consortium and offset package. This includes the local manufacturing of a significant portion of C-390 Millennium parts by Korean partner companies and the establishment of a local Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) provider. Since its operational debut with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019 and more recently with the Portuguese Air Force in 2023, the C-390 has consistently demonstrated its capacity, reliability, and performance. The operational fleet has surpassed 10,800 flight hours, achieving an operational availability of around 80% and mission completion rates exceeding 99%, showcasing outstanding productivity in its category.