Portugal and Brazil Team Up to Transform KC-390 into Submarine Hunter

Portugal’s Air Force joins Brazil’s Embraer and Air Force to adapt the KC-390 Millennium for submarine-hunting missions, announced at a defense exhibition in Rio de Janeiro on April 2, 2025.

This collaboration targets intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance tasks, focusing on maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare. Leaders from both nations, including Portugal’s General João Cartaxo Alves and Brazil’s Lieutenant Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, unveiled the plan.

They were joined by Embraer executives Francisco Gomes Neto and Bosco da Costa Junior. The KC-390, a tactical airlifter operational since 2019 with Brazil, 2023 with Portugal, and 2024 with Hungary, boasts a 99 percent mission completion rate.

Its fleet exceeds 12,000 flight hours, proving reliability across 10 air forces, including NATO members like Sweden and Slovakia. Now, engineers explore adding modular systems—sensors, radar, and possibly torpedoes—to tackle naval threats, building on its existing flexibility and robust design.

Brazil drives this project to replace its aging P-3 Orion patrol aircraft, while Portugal leverages its North Atlantic expertise. Studies began in 2024, accelerating with Portugal’s involvement by December.

The aircraft’s 26-ton payload and ability to operate from rough runways make it a strong candidate for this role. Embraer showcased a Roll-on/Roll-off system, ensuring the KC-390 retains its multi-mission edge.

Embraer’s Strategic KC-390 Partnership

This partnership strengthens ties between Portugal and Brazil, rooted in shared history and defense goals. It also positions Embraer to compete globally, as nations seek cost-effective maritime solutions.

The Brazilian Air Force operates 19 units, with Portugal owning five, and export deals span South Korea, the Netherlands, and beyond. Success could redefine the KC-390’s market, blending transport and combat capabilities.

Officials emphasize efficiency and practicality in this venture. Damasceno highlights its potential to meet future needs, while Embraer’s leaders stress engineering prowess.

The real story lies in the numbers: a proven aircraft, a growing alliance, and a strategic pivot to secure maritime borders. This move signals a shift in military aviation, merging utility with advanced warfare.