Portugal Receives Third KC-390 Transport Aircraft, Begins Testing NATO-Variant Super Tucano

The Portuguese Air Force has taken delivery of its third KC-390 Millennium transport aircraft and has launched flight testing of the NATO-standard A-29N Super Tucano light attack aircraft.

Embraer announced this in a press release.

The aircraft is the third of six KC-390s ordered by Portugal and the first to be delivered in 2025. The previous unit arrived in June 2024.

The KC-390 is replacing the aging fleet of C-130 Hercules aircraft, which have accumulated significant flight hours and are approaching the end of their service life.

The delivery of the third KC-390 will increase our operational capability and simultaneously consolidate experience in the aircraft, in progress to reach Full Operational Capability and establish new frontiers in the usage of this platform,” Portuguese Air Force’s Major-General João Nogueira, KC-390 Program Director, stated.

The KC-390 has seen growing adoption in Europe. In addition to Portugal, it has been ordered by Lithuania, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Sweden, and Slovakia.

Portugal is also the launch customer for the A-29N Super Tucano, the NATO-adapted variant of Embraer’s light attack and trainer aircraft.

The first aircraft is part of a 12-unit order placed in 2024, making Portugal the first customer for the Super Tucano variant designed to meet NATO requirements.

The Portuguese government approved the purchase in December 2024.

The A-29N was developed to meet NATO standards, making it compatible with the Portuguese Air Force’s mission profiles. The aircraft is expected to be used in roles including Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) training.

The contract includes aircraft, a flight simulator, logistics, and support services. It also involves local industrial participation to help adapt the platform to NATO requirements, potentially enabling future exports to other NATO and EU countries.

“The launch of the A-29N flight test campaign shows that we are on a good path to obtain a distinctive platform, with a configuration idealized by the Portuguese Air Force, that will prove its capability in advanced training and operational usage,” Portuguese Air Force’s Major-General João Nogueira added.