Embraer and Denel sign MoU in relation to KC-390 collaboration

Brazil’s Embraer and South African company Denel have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen their strategic partnership, with a particular focus on Embraer’s KC-390 tanker-transport aircraft.

The MoU was signed on 3 April at the 2025 LAAD Defence and Security exhibition in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, by Chris Boshoff, group executive and CEO Aerospace of Denel, and Fabio Caparica, vice president of contracts at Embraer Defense & Security. The agreement outlines the framework for a potential future collaboration on the KC-390 Millennium aircraft, with a focus on aerostructures manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul activities.

The South African Air Force has been cited as a potential customer for the KC-390. In May 2023 Lieutenant Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, the Commander of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), told the Brazilian Senate Foreign Relations Committee that South Africa was among countries in “very advanced talks” to acquire the KC-390.

Embraer’s Caparica said of the MoU, “We are thrilled to strengthen our ties with Denel, a proven aerospace leader in South Africa, as the country looks to replace its legacy military aircraft. We are looking forward to providing South Africa with the most advanced aircraft in its category while co-operating with South Africa’s defence industry.”

Denel’s Boshoff added, “Our longstanding relationship spans several decades, and this collaboration will further strengthen our ties. Denel is well equipped and is a suitably qualified industrial partner to undertake the necessary tasks envisaged for the collaboration and will significantly enhance the strategic airlift support capabilities on the African continent.”

The KC-390 is already in service in Brazil, Portugal and Hungary and has been ordered by Austria, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, South Korea and one undisclosed customer, while Slovakia and Sweden have also committed to acquiring the type.