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Contracts · Airlift

The Embraer KC-390 is a twin-engine jet-powered military transport aircraft with multi-functional use that the Brazilian Force is looking to use in the near future.
Archive photograph · The Embraer KC-390 is a twin-engine jet-powered military transport aircraft with multi-functional use that the Brazilian Force is looking to use in the near future. Ana Henderson / DVIDS Taken 2019-04-19. public-domain; reuse terms. The appearance of U.S. Department of War (DoW) visual information does not imply or constitute DoW endorsement.

Portugal authorizes Embraer KC-390 purchase for resale to Greece

Greek sale revenue is to fund three aircraft and associated support, but the government-to-government contract remains to be concluded.

Portugal has authorized the purchase of three Embraer KC-390 transports and an entry-into-service logistics package for resale to Greece.1 The authorization allows spending of up to €532.9 million plus VAT with a consortium of Embraer S.A. and Embraer Portugal S.A.1

Portugal authorizes spending for Greece's planned KC-390 purchase

Separate spending authorizations; both amounts exclude VAT.

Up to €532,894,587.68Three KC-390 aircraft and entry-into-service logistics
Up to €57,081,320.28Electronic warfare equipment, training, logistics, technical support teams in Greece and program management

Greek sale revenue is to finance the operation entirely; the government-to-government contract remains to be concluded.

Source: Diário da República, Resolution 207/2026. As of October 22, 2026.

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Greece formally asked Portugal for the aircraft, training and initial logistics support. The resolution provides for Greek sale revenue to finance the operation entirely, although the government-to-government contract is still to be concluded. It does not state the price Greece would pay.1

A separate authorization allows Portugal's Air Force to spend up to €57.1 million plus VAT on electronic warfare equipment, training, logistics support, technical support teams in Greece and program management. The resolution estimates the overall charge at about €590 million, with spending spread over 2026–2031. The Council of Ministers approved the resolution on October 14, 2026; it was published in the official gazette on October 22.1

Portugal established the broader purchase route in 2025, when it exercised an option for a sixth KC-390 and secured options for up to 10 additional aircraft for European or NATO nations. Those nations could buy through the Portuguese state under government-to-government arrangements; the resolution does not specify whether the Greek aircraft would use those options.1

The planned sale links an export purchase to Portugal's continuing investment in the KC-390 Program. The resolution earmarks all sale revenue for the program, covering the aircraft and associated support as well as its continuity and capability evolution.1

Sources (1)
  1. Resolução do Conselho de Ministros n.º 207/2026, de 22 de outubro (Diário da República) diariodarepublica.pt
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Contracts · Airlift

U.S. Air Force, Army, and Portuguese Air Force members assemble for a group photo at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 15, 2024.
Archive photograph · U.S. Air Force, Army, and Portuguese Air Force members assemble for a group photo at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 15, 2024. Airman Dylan Myers / DVIDS Taken 2024-07-15. public-domain; reuse terms. The appearance of U.S. Department of War (DoW) visual information does not imply or constitute DoW endorsement.

Greece orders three Embraer KC-390 transports

The government-to-government deal through Portugal includes options for three more aircraft, with first delivery planned for 2027.

Greece's Ministry of National Defense signed a contract on Nov. 2 for three Embraer KC-390 Millennium aircraft, with options for three more. The purchase runs through a government-to-government agreement with Portugal.1

Greece orders three KC-390s, with options for three more

Embraer KC-390 Millennium contract signed Nov. 2, 2026

threeAircraft under signed contract
threeAdditional aircraft options
2027First delivery planned

The additional three aircraft are options in the signed contract.

Source: Embraer. As of Nov. 2, 2026.

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Breaking Defense reported that Greece chose the Millennium to replace its aging Lockheed Martin C-130H fleet.2 The purchase also offers a refueling role: Embraer says the aircraft can operate as a tanker when configured with quick-installation air-to-air refueling equipment.1

According to Breaking Defense, a Greek parliamentary committee reportedly approved procurement and follow-on support of three aircraft in June, with an expected budget of roughly €600 million.2 Embraer's signing announcement gives no contract value.1

The Greek order adds a delivery commitment beginning in 2027, when Embraer says the Hellenic Air Force will receive its first aircraft.1 Breaking Defense reports that Embraer aims to increase annual C-390 production to 10 aircraft by the end of the decade.2

Sources (2)
  1. Embraer: Greece acquires up to six Embraer KC-390 Millennium Multi-Mission Aircraft www.embraer.com
  2. Breaking Defense: Greece inks deal for KC-390 fleet breakingdefense.com
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Budget · Light attack

A two-ship formation of A-29 Super Tucanos fly over Kabul, Afghanistan during a mission on April 28, 2016.
Archive photograph · A two-ship formation of A-29 Super Tucanos fly over Kabul, Afghanistan during a mission on April 28, 2016. Staff Sgt. Larry Reid Jr. / DVIDS Taken 2016-04-28. public-domain; reuse terms. The appearance of U.S. Department of War (DoW) visual information does not imply or constitute DoW endorsement.

Air Force divests its A-29 fleet, Breaking Defense reports

Breaking Defense reports the Air Force plans to store its three Super Tucanos with SNC after the aircraft did not meet test pilot school needs.

The Air Force has divested its three A-29 Super Tucanos at Edwards Air Force Base, the service’s only examples of the Embraer-made turboprop, Breaking Defense reported.1

The aircraft are not expected to return to flight for Air Force use

three A-29 Super Tucanos

SNCplans to sole-source a contractplanned

the service plans to sole-source a contract with SNC to store the aircraft

storage contracta single base year and two option yearsplanned

the storage contract would have a single base year and two option years

Reported by Breaking Defense, Nov. 3, 2026

Sources
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An Edwards spokesperson told the outlet that the aircraft had been thoroughly evaluated but did not meet the intended use for the Air Force Test Pilot School.1

Air Force Special Operations Command originally bought the aircraft, then relinquished them after mission requirements changed, the outlet reported, citing a 2024 Air Force release. The test pilot school subsequently took them to assess whether they could meet its test needs.1

An Oct. 29 Air Force notice outlined plans for a sole-source contract with SNC to store the aircraft. The planned contract would have one base year and two option years. The notice said the aircraft were not expected to return to flight for Air Force use.1

Embraer assembles A-29s in Jacksonville, Florida, where SNC installs mission equipment for U.S. and specific foreign military sales customers. Embraer officials have said that the Jacksonville line could be at risk without sufficient demand; the company also operates a separate Super Tucano production facility in Brazil.1

Officials are exploring future options for a sustainable spin and mission systems aircraft for the test pilot school, the Edwards spokesperson told Breaking Defense.1

Sources (1)
  1. Air Force divests its few A-29s, explores ‘future options’, Breaking Defense, Nov. 3, 2026 breakingdefense.com
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