The first of the five KC-390 Millenniums acquired to replace the C-130Hs of the Força Aérea Portuguesa (FAP) landed yesterday in Portugal.
As reported by the FAP, the KC-390 (carrying the provisional Brazilian registration PT-ZDK) landed yesterday morning at the Beja air base. The aircraft was escorted by two F-16M fighter jets.
Before being officially handed over to the Portuguese Air Force, the newly arrived KC-390 Millennium will pass through the facilities of the OGMA aerospace company, where it will be fitted with some NATO-specific equipment. After that, the aircraft will have to pass the certification tests of the Portuguese Aeronautical Authority.
The replacement for the legendary C-130 Hercules
On July 11, 2019, Portugal became the first export customer for the KC-390 Millennium (Hungary and the Netherlands will follow) after signing a contract with Brazil’s Embraer, valued at around USD 930 million, for the acquisition of five KC-390 Millennium multi-role transport and in-flight refueling aircraft. Embraer’s offer, which includes a simulator, technology transfer, industrial offsets and logistics support for an extension of 12 years, was considered superior to that offered by Lockheed Martin, which proposed its C-130J Super Hercules.
The new KC-390s will replace the aging fleet of C-130H Hercules of the 501st “Bison” Squadron. The last aircraft should be delivered during 2027, at a rate of one aircraft per year.
See also: The first KC-390 crew of the Portuguese Air Force started their training
The first Portuguese crew successfully completed the KC-390 qualification course in November 2021. This crew was composed of two pilots and two Loadmasters, who received their instruction from Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB) personnel at the Anápolis airbase in Brazil.
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