The Portuguese Air Force’s (Força Aérea Portuguesa – PoAF) first of five KC-390 multi-mission transport aircraft by Brazilian aerospace company Embraer has arrived in Portugal.
On 15 October, the KC-390 aircraft took off from the company’s Gavião Peixoto facility in São Paulo, Brazil, towards Europe.
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It landed at Air Base No. 11 (BA11) in Beja, Portugal, on 16 October.
The aircraft will now be integrated with Nato standard equipment and receive certification from the Portuguese National Aeronautical Authority (AAN).
According to the company, the integration phase and AAN certification-related activities in Portugal will be handled by Embraer’s Portuguese subsidiary OGMA in collaboration with FAP.
Once equipment integration and certification works are complete, the first aircraft will be handed over to the PoAF.
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By GlobalDataThe latest move comes after the completion of the evaluation phase of the aircraft by Embraer in Brazil.
In 2019, the Portuguese Government contracted Embraer to procure a total of five KC-390 aircraft to modernise the capabilities of the PoAF.
In addition, the contract involved the delivery of the associated support services and a flight simulator.
The PoAF’s first aircrew for KC-390 transport aircraft has already completed a qualification course in November last year.
The acquisition of aircraft is expected to enhance the readiness of PoAF to undertake civilian operations, search and rescue missions, medical evacuation and wildfire fighting, as well as provide humanitarian support.
Furthermore, the Portuguese aircraft will also have in-flight refuelling capability and provide transport facilities for the cargo and troops.
Last month, Embraer also completed different flight tests of the first aircraft to meet the requirements of the PoAF.
