Portugal cements sixth KC-390, option for up to 10 aircraft for allies

Portugal is complementing the five KC-390 Millennium acquired in 2019, with a sixth airframe. (Victor Barreira)

The Portuguese Air Force (Força Aérea Portuguesa: FAP) signed with Embraer Defense and Security on 17 September an amendment to the current contract for the acquisition of the sixth KC-390 Millennium airlifter for its Squadron 506 ‘Rinocerontes'.

The amount of the acquisition and the delivery date were not revealed.

The amendment for the sixth national aircraft also includes 10 aircraft purchase options for potential future acquisitions by NATO members through Portugal, via government-to-government negotiations.

This amendment follows a formal announcement made at the Paris Air Show 2025 on 16 June that Portugal has decided to acquire a sixth aircraft and to add an option for 10 aircraft for potential sale to allied nations.

The aircraft acquisition is part of the Transformation of National Aerospace Power 2024–2030 plan, which is also known as ‘Air Force 5.3'.

An option for an additional sixth aircraft was included in the contract of 22 August 2019 worth EUR827 million (USD979 million) for five aircraft; Elbit Systems' electronic warfare suite; Rheinmetall's full flight mission simulator; training and instruction; 12 years logistics planning, support, and depot maintenance; aerial refuelling kits; 4,000 l internal fuel tanks; and training and operational support system.

Portugal has to date received three of the five KC-390 Millennium aircraft acquired, with the fourth and fifth aircraft scheduled to be received in 2026 and 2027, respectively.

For more information on Portugal's KC-390 programme, please see Paris Air Show 2025: Portugal signs for additional KC-390, options for further 10 for NATO allies .