Brazil and Embraer to develop new C-390 Millennium IVR aircraft to meet growing surveillance demands.

On December 3, 2024, at the National Defense and Security Fair (Mostra BID) in Brasília, the Brazilian company Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) signed agreements to enhance the C-390 Millennium platform. The collaboration focuses on developing its Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, particularly for maritime patrol missions. This initiative, officially designated the C-390 IVR project, joins ongoing studies to expand the aircraft’s role, including the MPA variant specifically designed for maritime patrols and a firefighting variant.
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The Embraer C-390 IVR could integrate technologies such as synthetic aperture radar, electro-optical and infrared sensors, and advanced communication systems to support multi-domain operations, as well as two hardpoints for specific payloads. (Picture source: Embraer)

According to Lieutenant-Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, Commander of the Brazilian Air Force, structured studies are underway to adapt the aircraft for ISR missions. These studies aim to assess its ability to meet current and future operational requirements, particularly in maritime patrol roles. Bosco da Costa Junior, CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, described the agreement as part of the ongoing partnership with FAB to expand the C-390 Millennium’s operational scope.

The decision to develop an ISR variant of the C-390 Millennium responds to the rising demand for surveillance capabilities, homeland security, and disaster management. The global ISR aircraft and drones market is projected to grow significantly, from $13.37 billion in 2023 to $22.1 billion by 2033. ISR capabilities are deemed critical for monitoring territorial waters, Exclusive Economic Zones, and natural resources. Brazil’s extensive coastline and offshore interests require platforms capable of wide-area surveillance, a need shared by other nations in securing borders and maritime routes. This reflects a broader trend of growing international reliance on advanced intelligence and reconnaissance technologies.

The adaptation of the C-390 for ISR builds on its established design, allowing Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force to leverage an existing platform for new operational roles. This approach is cost-effective, avoiding the need for an entirely new system, and ensures compatibility with existing logistics and maintenance frameworks. The ISR variant could integrate technologies such as synthetic aperture radar, electro-optical and infrared sensors, and advanced communication systems to support multi-domain operations, aligning with defense modernization trends. The global ISR aircraft market's expected growth in the coming decade presents opportunities for the C-390 ISR variant.

This development aligns with Embraer’s strategy to broaden the C-390’s roles and lifecycle, making it more relevant for modern defense requirements. It also supports Brazil’s defense industrial goals by fostering innovation and increasing export potential. Internationally, the C-390 ISR variant could attract countries facing similar security concerns, such as those in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. For instance, South Korea, which selected the C-390 for transport, might consider the ISR variant to monitor its maritime borders amid regional tensions. Similarly, Sweden, a recent buyer of the C-390, could use the ISR variant to strengthen surveillance in the Baltic Sea.

The C-390 Millennium is a medium-sized, twin-engine, jet-powered military transport aircraft designed by the Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer. It is the heaviest aircraft developed by the company. The C-390 can carry up to 26 tonnes of cargo, including two M113 armored personnel carriers, one Boxer armored vehicle, a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter, or up to 80 soldiers or 66 paratroopers with full gear. It has a cruising speed of Mach 0.8 and is powered by two IAE V2500-E5 turbofan engines. The aircraft is designed for a variety of missions, including troop and cargo transportation, aerial refueling, and air-dropping loads of up to 19 tonnes.

The Embraer C-390 Millennium has been ordered by various countries worldwide, beginning with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), which ordered 28 units in 2014 to replace its aging C-130 fleet. As of June 2022, the fleet had logged over 8,200 flight hours across 6,000 flights, achieving an 80% technical availability rate and a mission completion rate of 99.5%. The aircraft has been deployed for missions such as delivering medical supplies and transferring patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in Manaus, disaster relief following the Beirut explosion and Haiti earthquake, and repatriation efforts during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In early 2023, the FAB announced that its C-390 fleet had accumulated over 8,000 flight hours, participating in missions on all continents, including Antarctica.

Internationally, the C-390 Millennium has been chosen by multiple countries as a replacement for aging transport aircraft. Portugal, which authorized the purchase of five units in 2017, received its first aircraft in February 2023, achieving full operational status in October 2023, with deliveries expected to conclude by 2027. Hungary, replacing its retired An-26 fleet, received its first C-390 in April 2024, configured for medical missions, with a second aircraft scheduled for delivery later. The Netherlands selected the C-390 in 2022 to replace its C-130H fleet, planning five units for delivery starting in 2026. Austria confirmed an order for four units to replace its C-130K fleet, with deliveries scheduled between 2027 and 2030. South Korea decided in 2023 to acquire three C-390s by 2026, citing contract advantages, while Sweden and Morocco initiated procurement talks in 2024. Additional discussions and evaluations are ongoing in countries such as India, Egypt, Colombia, and South Africa.