Portuguese Air Force joins studies looking at ISR mission system for KC-390

The Portuguese Air Force (Força Aérea Portuguesa – FAP) is to join Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) in collaborative studies to identify potential adaptations to Embraer’s KC-390 Millennium tanker-transport aircraft to perform intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, the Brazilian aerospace manufacturer announced on 1 April 2025.

The announcement was made at a ceremony during the 2025 LAAD Defense & Security exhibition in Rio de Janeiro in the presence of General João Cartaxo Alves, the FAP ommander; Lieutenant-Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, the FAB commander; Francisco Gomes Neto, president and CEO of Embraer; and Bosco da Costa Junior, president & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.

During the ceremony, a concept image of a modular ISR roll-on/roll-off mission system currently under development was presented. This solution will allow the KC-390 to perform ISR missions while maintaining all of its other multi-mission capabilities. Studies have so far pointed to several possibilities and solutions for the integration of new mission systems, sensors, workstations and weapons onto the KC-390, in addition to meeting the operational expectations of the FAB and FAP.

“The collaborative work with Embraer is evolving efficiently and in a structured manner, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of the KC-390 Millennium for the current and future needs of the Brazilian Air Force,” Lt-Brig Damasceno was quoted as saying in an Embraer press release. “We see a great potential of the aircraft for ISR and maritime patrol missions. The Brazilian Air Force welcomes the Portuguese Air Force in joining this study, bringing their knowledge and experience to enhance the potential solution.”

Da Costa Junior added, “We are delighted with the Portuguese Air Force decision to join the studies for this new application for the KC-390 Millennium. Since the beginning of the programme, our Brazilian and Portuguese partners have been crucial in making the KC-390 programme an undeniable operational and technical success,”

The KC-390 entered service with the FAB in 2019 and with the FAP in 2023. The FAB has seven KC-390s in operation and 12 on order, while the FAB has two KC-390s in service and three on order. The KC-390 has also been ordered by Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, South Korea and one undisclosed customer, while Slovakia and Sweden have also committed to acquiring the type.