Embraer talks up South African prospects for KC/C-390 airlifter

An artist's rendering of the Embraer KC/C-390 in South African Air Force markings. (Embraer)

Embraer has talked up the prospect of selling its KC/C-390 Millennium to South Africa, describing the airlifter as being “perfectly suited” to replace the legacy aircraft currently in service with the country.

Released on 25 September, a company press release timed to coincide with the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition at Waterkloof Air Force Base noted what Embraer described as South Africa's “C-390 acquisition process”, saying the Brazilian-built aircraft is “well suited to meet the needs of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), as well as other government authorities”.

“This new generation aircraft … attracted great interest from the SANDF, which had the opportunity to evaluate it,” Embraer said. For its part, a SANDF spokesperson was quoted by Embraer as adding, “We appreciate the wide range of capabilities and technology that we've experienced [on evaluation of the KC/C-390]. [The] SANDF has shown interest in the C-390 Millennium, as it advances in the necessary steps for the selection of the much needed strategic lift capability for the SANDF.”