During the LAAD Defense and Security exhibition in Brazil, Embraer and Denel, a prominent South African aerospace and defense company, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that paves the way for future collaboration on the KC-390 Millennium aircraft. The agreement, formalized by Chris Boshoff, Group Executive CEO Aerospace of Denel, and Fabio Caparica, Vice President of Contracts at Embraer Defense & Security, establishes a framework for potential cooperation in aerostructures manufacturing, maintenance, repair, and overhaul activities. This MoU signifies a deepening of the strategic partnership between the two companies, with a strong emphasis on Embraer’s advanced military transport aircraft.
Denel, a South African State-Owned Company (SOC), plays a vital role in delivering innovative defense, security, aerospace, and technology solutions, serving as a strategic partner to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Its expertise spans combat turrets, artillery and vehicle systems, missiles, aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), avionics upgrades, air defense system testing, and complex system integration. Meanwhile, Embraer, a global leader in designing, developing, manufacturing, and marketing aircraft and systems, has been actively promoting the KC-390 to South Africa and other African militaries. With industrial units, offices, service centers, and parts distribution networks across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe, Embraer brings extensive experience and reach to this collaboration.
The KC-390 Millennium, a next-generation military transport aircraft, is particularly well-suited for operations in South Africa. Its versatility, ability to reconfigure quickly between missions, and capacity to operate from unprepared airstrips make it a cost-efficient solution for modern armed forces on the African continent. Capable of carrying a 26-ton payload—more than other medium-sized military transport aircraft—the KC-390 flies faster at 470 knots and offers greater range. It supports a diverse array of missions, including humanitarian aid, cargo and troop transport, air-to-air refueling (as both tanker and receiver), medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and special operations, even from temporary or unpaved runways like packed earth, soil, and gravel.
Since its introduction, the KC-390 has gained international traction, with eight countries—Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, South Korea, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, and an undisclosed customer—acquiring the aircraft. Sweden and Slovakia have also selected it to modernize their air forces. In service with the Brazilian Air Force since 2019, the Portuguese Air Force since 2023, and the Hungarian Air Force since 2024, the KC-390 has demonstrated exceptional reliability, boasting mission completion rates exceeding 99%, a testament to its productivity and performance.
South Africa’s interest in the KC-390 stems from its need to modernize its military transport capabilities. The South African Air Force (SAAF) currently depends on an aging fleet of C-130BZ Hercules aircraft, which have encountered maintenance and availability challenges, often requiring chartered aircraft for operations in regions like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique. These C-130BZs also support domestic and regional humanitarian efforts, delivering relief supplies and medical equipment to areas impacted by natural disasters and conflicts. The KC-390 presents a modern alternative to enhance the SAAF’s ability to conduct peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and humanitarian missions.
Embraer has actively showcased the C-390’s capabilities to South Africa. At the Africa Aerospace and Defence show in September 2024 at Waterkloof Air Base near Pretoria, the aircraft’s potential was on full display. In November 2023, a demonstration at the same base for the SAAF and other government departments drew senior Department of Defence officials, including Defence Minister Thandi Modise, SANDF Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya, and SAAF Chief Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo. This followed an April 2023 visit by SAAF officials to Brazil to explore the aircraft’s potential. Modise expressed optimism about a future partnership with Embraer, envisioning local manufacturing and repair operations that could bolster South Africa’s aerospace capabilities and economy.
The enthusiasm for collaboration is mutual. Fabio Caparica emphasized Embraer’s eagerness to provide South Africa with a top-tier aircraft while partnering with its defense industry, stating, “We are thrilled to strengthen our ties with Denel, a proven aerospace leader in South Africa, as the country looks to replace its legacy military aircraft.” Chris Boshoff echoed this sentiment, highlighting Denel’s readiness and expertise: “Our longstanding relationship spans several decades, and this collaboration will further strengthen our ties. Denel is well-equipped and is a suitably qualified industrial partner to undertake the necessary tasks envisaged for the collaboration and will significantly enhance the strategic airlift support capabilities on the African continent.”
This partnership gained further momentum in January 2025, when a high-level SAAF delegation, led by Brigadier General Carl Moatshe, Director of Air Transport and Maritime Systems, visited Embraer’s facilities in Brazil between November 7th and 8th. Accompanied by Denel executives, including Lindokuhle Justice Mpanza and Mante Mahlogonolo Phakathi, the group toured production lines for the C-390 and the A-29 Super Tucano, reinforcing ongoing discussions about a potential acquisition. This visit underscores the growing ties between Embraer and Denel and the SAAF’s continued interest in the aircraft.
The MoU between Embraer and Denel represents a promising step toward enhancing South Africa’s military and aerospace capabilities. By combining Embraer’s cutting-edge technology with Denel’s industrial expertise, this collaboration could position South Africa as a hub for aerospace innovation in Africa, addressing both defense needs and economic growth.
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