Embraer has completed the maiden flight of the first C-390 Millennium aircraft for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) at its facilities in Brazil. This milestone follows the aircraft’s rollout announced at the Singapore Airshow on February 3, 2026, when it entered the final assembly phase after coming off the production line in December 2025.
South Korea selected the C-390 in December 2023 under its Large Transport Aircraft II (LTA-II) program, ordering three units for USD 544.4 million to bolster its airlift capabilities. The twin-engine jet transport, designed for 26-ton payloads, 470-knot cruise speed, and extended range, outperforms other medium transports. It supports cargo and troop transport, airdrops, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, humanitarian missions, and operations from unpaved runways. Configured as KC-390, it enables air-to-air refueling as both tanker and receiver, with full NATO interoperability and suitability for Agile Combat Employment.
“The progress of Republic of Korea’s first C-390 Millennium demonstrates both the efficiency and maturity of our production line and the strength of our partnership with DAPA, ROKAF and our Korean suppliers,” stated Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. Industrial ties advanced via a October 2025 Memorandum of Understanding with South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), incorporating Korean firms in production, maintenance, training, and logistics.
South Korea becomes the first Asia-Pacific C-390 operator, joining Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Uzbekistan, Slovakia, and Lithuania.