Second KC-390 of the Portuguese Air Force completes transfer flight

The second KC-390 Millennium airlifter from the Portuguese Air Force (FAP) completed the transfer flight from Embraer’s facilities in Brazil.

The aircraft registration 26902 landed at 11:30 am on Friday 28 June at Air Base No. 11, in Beja, southern Portugal.

FAP received the second KC-390 on Wednesday, June 26, in Gavião Peixoto, where Embraer has the twin-engine jet’s assembly line.

The following day, the aircraft took off towards Portugal with technical refueling stops in Recife and Porto Santos.

The second KC-390 was then delivered to Squadron 506 – “Rhinos” after being escorted in flight by an F-16 fighter.

The second KC-390 is escorted by an F-16 fighter (FAP)

FAP also has three other jets on order and should be delivered at a rate of one aircraft per year.

The KC-390 has been in service since October 2023 and has already completed more than 500 hours of flight, with emphasis on medical and logistical transport, as was the case with the two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters that were transported from the USA.

The Portuguese Air Force is the first Millennim operator in NATO, which will be followed by Hungary, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.