During the LAAD defense and security exhibition, Austria and Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer SA are anticipated to negotiate the purchase of four or five KC-390 military cargo planes, according to two individuals with knowledge of the situation.
As part of its plan to increase its proportion of international revenue this year, Embraer Defense is transferring its focus to C-390 Millennium exports.
Austria was present at a gathering of KC-390 owners and operators in Portugal last month. The Czech Republic and the Netherlands both selected the aircraft to replace their antiquated fleets, and Hungary, which has already made the purchase, also attended the conference.
One of the Austrians who traveled to Brazil for LAAD stated that additional discussions on the KC-390 were planned, but a procurement decision had not been made.
A message sent after hours to the Austrian administration requesting a response was not immediately returned.
New Lockheed Martin Hercules C-130 aircraft are being considered for purchase by the Austrian government. According to reports, the country may order four or five aircraft, with contracts expected to be executed in the first half of 2024 and deliveries commencing no later than 2030.
Wednesday, a second expert in the field stated that “the KC-390 is being evaluated and there is mutual interest.”
Embraer and Saab of Sweden signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday to promote the KC-390 as the best option to satisfy the Swedish Air Force’s tactical air transport requirements.
On the outskirts of LAAD, Bosco da Costa Junior, CEO of Embraer Defense, said, “There are conversations with numerous nations.” He did not specify specific nations, but he did mention that representatives from Austria and the Czech Republic recently attended a gathering of KC-390 users.
According to a statement issued by the company on Wednesday, a light attack aircraft with a NATO configuration, the A-29 Super Tucano, was also released.
