Brazilian aerospace giant Embraer has scored a significant success in the Asian defense market. In December 2023, South Korea selected the C-390 Millennium tactical airlifter under its $544 million Large Transport Aircraft II program. This marked Embraer’s first order from Asia, following its growing sales footprint in Europe and the Middle East, and signaled the start of a new expansion phase for the company.

Speaking at the Singapore Airshow, Federico Lemos, Embraer’s Commercial Vice President for International Business, highlighted the strategic importance of South Korea’s decision. He emphasized that it represented a major opportunity for Embraer in Asia, where the C-390 is already attracting considerable interest. The company showcased the aircraft at the airshow and plans to fly it to other countries in Southeast Asia before returning it to Brazil.

To strengthen its presence in the region, Embraer is pursuing several partnerships. The company signed a dedicated maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) agreement for the C-390 with ST Engineering and is also expanding its cooperation with Saab. The partnership with Saab includes offering the C-390 to the Swedish Air Force and establishing a Gripen fighter production line at Embraer’s Gaviao Peixoto facility in Brazil.

In addition, Embraer has partnered with India’s Mahindra Defence Systems to jointly offer the C-390 to the Indian Air Force, which is seeking to replace its aging fleet of AN-32s with 40 to 80 new medium transport aircraft. Earlier, Embraer signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) to explore the establishment of a regional MRO hub and assembly line in Saudi Arabia.

With its expanding partnerships and South Korea’s high-profile selection, the C-390 Millennium is gaining momentum in Asia, reinforcing Embraer’s position in the global defense aviation market and offering a modern solution to regional airlift requirements.