First Portuguese Air Force KC-390 on a transatlantic maiden flight

The first Portuguese Air Force KC-390 has taken its maiden flight. Its first mission was a transatlantic flight between Brazil and Portugal. The plane has fully integrated the Air Force’s weapons system since then and is under the command of Squadron 506 – "Rhinoceros", stationed at No. 11 Air Base in Beja. 

This is a multitask aircraft with intercontinental range and capable of operations such as transporting troops, vehicles, and palletized loads, launching parachuters and load, air-med transports, search and rescue assignments, air refuelling and fighting wildland fires. 

It is the first of five planes bought by Portugal from Brazilian company Embraer, an investment of 827 million euros with the aim of replacing the Hercules C-130 aircraft. The deal also includes the aircrafts’ maintenance in the first 12 years of life and purchasing a flight simulator. 

The aircraft was presented at No. 11 Air Base on 19 October 2022, a year before becoming operational. At a ceremony presided over by the Prime Minister António Costa, he spoke of this investment as a "three in one" project that will allow us to build the Armed Forces and Air Forces’ capabilities, straighten ties with Brazil, and develop the Portuguese aeronautical cluster "as an important part of the national economy". 

The KC-390’s have a Portuguese touch. The aircrafts contain parts made in Portugal at the former Embraer factories in Évora and the OGMA, Alverca do Ribatejo. Its design implied an investment of 650 Portuguese engineering man hours in a work developed by CEiiA. 

The first KC-390 comes with NATO standard equipment "integrated after a range of tests in Portugal" and has been approved by the National Aeronautical Authority (AAN).