Embraer, the Brazilian aerospace company, has recently conducted a series of demonstrations of its KC-390 Millennium aircraft to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), hoping to secure a contract for the medium tactical transport aircraft.
The KC-390 is a twin-engine, multi-mission aircraft that can perform various roles, such as troop and cargo transport, aerial refuelling, search-and-rescue, and medical evacuation. It can carry up to 26 tons of payload, including vehicles, helicopters, and pallets. It can also operate from short and unpaved runways and has a fly-by-wire system that enhances its flight performance and safety.
Embraer’s instructor pilot Marco Aurélio Oliveira announced that the KC-390 was well received by the NAF officials and pilots, who were impressed by its capabilities and versatility. He said that the demonstrations, which took place from late January to early February, covered the aircraft’s tactical air mobility, airdrop, paratrooper, search-and-rescue, and aerial refuelling features, as well as its easy maintenance and low operational cost.
The demonstrations were part of the KC-390’s route to the World Defense Show (WDS) 2024, held in Riyadh from 4 to 8 February, where the aircraft was also displayed to potential customers and partners. Oliveira said that the KC-390 had attracted interest from several countries in the Middle East and Africa, as well as from NATO members.
The NAF is looking for a replacement for its ageing fleet of Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules, which have been in service since 1975. The NAF launched a procurement programme between 2014 and 2016 to acquire 5–10 medium tactical transport aircraft and invited bids from various manufacturers, including Lockheed Martin, Airbus, and Shaanxi. The KC-390 was not initially considered for the requirement, but Oliveira said that Embraer had been in contact with the NAF since 2018, and had offered the KC-390 as a viable option. However, the Nigerian Air Force is expected to take delivery of two C295 medium transports from Airbus, NAF is already looking to partner with the Spanish Government in the areas of aircraft acquisition, training, air operations, intelligence sharing and capacity development in imagery analysis, and is in discussions with Airbus.
Oliveira said that the KC-390 had several advantages over its competitors, such as the Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules, the Airbus A400M, and the Shaanxi Y-9. He said that the KC-390 was more modern, more efficient, more flexible, and more affordable than the other platforms and that it could meet the NAF’s operational needs and expectations. He also said that Embraer was willing to offer a comprehensive package of support and training to the NAF, as well as to explore opportunities for industrial cooperation and technology transfer.
However, the KC-390 is not the only new entrant in the transport aircraft market. China is also eyeing Nigeria as a potential customer for its Y-20 E multi-role transport aircraft, the largest military aircraft currently in production. The Y-20 E, nicknamed “Chubby Girl”, is a four-engine, heavy-lift aircraft that can carry up to 73 short tons of payload, and can operate in diverse conditions, such as high altitude, hot weather, and rough terrain. The Y-20 E is China’s answer to the US C-17 Globemaster and the Soviet Ilyushin Il-76, both of which are widely used by many countries for strategic airlift missions.
The Y-20 E was showcased to the Nigerian Defense Minister during his visit to Beijing in November 2023, where he expressed interest in the aircraft and its capabilities. China has been increasing its production capacity of the Y-20 E in anticipation of export orders, and has also developed an export version of the aircraft, which has some modifications from the domestic version, such as a different engine and avionics. The Y-20 E was first displayed at the Dubai Air Show in December 2023, where it attracted attention from many countries.
The NAF is expected to award a contract for the medium tactical transport aircraft before 2025, after evaluating the technical and financial proposals from the bidders. The NAF’s decision will have significant implications for the regional balance of power, as well as for the global transport aircraft industry. Embraer and China are both eager to expand their presence and influence in the African market, and are ready to offer competitive and attractive deals to the NAF. The KC-390 and the Y-20 E are both vying for a slice of the lucrative and growing transport aircraft market, and are set to challenge the dominance of the traditional players, such as Lockheed Martin and Airbus.
The Brazilian aerospace company, has recently demonstrated its C-390 Millenium military transport aircraft to the South African Air Force (SAAF) and other government departments, hoping to make sales across Africa.
The demonstration took place at Air Force Base Waterkloof on Friday, November 24, 2023, where a Brazilian Air Force (FAB) KC-390 Millenium aircraft landed and was greeted by senior Department of Defence (DoD) officials, including Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise, Chief of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) General Rudzani Maphwanya, and Chief of the SAAF Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo.