Embraer will return to Seoul ADEX 2025 from 20 to 24 October to showcase its defense and security portfolio including the C-390 Millennium at Booth 7-I6. Products and solutions from Embraer Defense & Security are present in more than 60 countries and its solutions span across air, land, sea, and space domains.

"Our presence at ADEX is a reflection of our strong commitment to Korea's defense industry," said Bosco da Costa Junior, President & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. "The C-390 aircraft for South Korea are advancing as planned and we value the close cooperation we have with DAPA, ROKAF and our Korean suppliers on this project."

In 2023, South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) selected the C-390 Millennium for its Large Transport Aircraft (LTA-II) public tender, providing the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) with new military transport aircraft. The C-390 Millennium aircraft will be specially configured to meet ROKAF's requirements, along with comprehensive services and support, including training, ground support equipment, and spare parts.

This agreement features a robust industrial cooperation program, with significant C-390 components that are manufactured in South Korea by local aerospace partners ASTG, EMK, and Kencoa Aerospace, strengthening the capabilities of South Korea's defense industrial base and Korea-Brazil aerospace ties.

Last month, Embraer and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency KOTRA held a week-long roadshow in Sacheon and Busan which included visits and seminars aimed at identifying areas of further collaboration between Embraer and Korean companies.

Embraer has a global supply chain and has been partnering with Korean companies since the launch of its E-Jets E2 commercial aircraft program in 2013. South Korea's Flight Inspection Center also operates the Embraer Praetor 600 since 2024 – an aircraft platform renowned for its exceptional performance and versatility.

C-390 Millennium continues global momentum

International momentum for the C-390 Millennium has been growing – in addition to South Korea, the aircraft has been selected by 10 other Air Forces^[1] around the world. The Portuguese Air Force, an existing operator of the C-390, recently signed for the acquisition of a sixth C-390 Millennium aircraft and the inclusion of ten new purchase options for potential acquisitions by future partner nations.

Since entering service with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, the Portuguese Air Force in 2023, and the Hungarian Air Force in 2024, the C-390 Millennium has proven its capability, reliability and performance. The current fleet in operation has demonstrated a mission completion rate of more than 99%, highlighting exceptional productivity in its category.

The C-390 Millennium can carry more payload (26 tons) compared to other medium-sized military transport aircraft and flies faster (470 knots) and farther. It is capable of performing a wide range of missions such as transporting and dropping cargo and troops, medical evacuation, search and rescue (SAR), firefighting and humanitarian missions, and operating on temporary or unpaved runways, such as packed earth, soil and gravel. The aircraft configured with air-to-air, with the designation KC-390, has already proven its aerial refueling capacity both as a tanker and as a receiver, in this case by receiving fuel from another KC-390 using pods installed under the wings.

^[1] Lithuania, Slovakia, Sweden, Czech Republic, Austria, the Netherlands, Hungary, Portugal, Brazil and an undisclosed nation.