Paris Air Show 2019: First KC-390 will be delivered to the Brazilian Air Force after the event.

The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) will receive its first KC-390 shortly after the Paris Air Show in France, which runs from June 17 - 23, revealed Nelson Salgado, Embraer’s CFO.

Embraer KC-390 (Picture source: Marcos Corrêa)

As soon as the aircraft returns from the event we will begin the process of delivering the first unit to the FAB,” said the executive. The BAF has a request for 28 units of the KC-390, which was chosen to replace the old turbo-propellers C-130 Hercules, in service in Brazil since 1965. All aircrafts must be delivered to the Brazilian command until 2026.

The KC-390 that will participate in the air show in Paris is the first production aircraft and also is participating in the final stage of testing and certification of the new freighter, which will begin its operational career in Brazil later this year.

“This is a product (KC-390) that has aroused huge interest from air forces around the world. In general, in relation to defense products, as long as your own air force does not start using the aircraft you usually do not realize many deals. But we expect that with the start of the operation of the KC-390 by the FAB in the second half of this year this interest will start to be converted into real opportunities,” said the Embraer CFO.

The Embraer KC-390 is a medium-size, twin-engine jet-powered military transport aircraft able to perform aerial refuelling and to transport cargo and troops. It is the heaviest aircraft that the company has made to date, and will be able to transport up to 29 tons of cargo, including wheeled armoured fighting vehicles.