Embraer expects to gradually increase production of the KC-390 Millennium military transport aircraft to 10 units annually by the end of the decade, while also studying the possibility of establishing assembly lines in the United States and India if ongoing campaigns advance into major contracts.
Speaking during Embraer’s first-quarter earnings call, CEO Francisco Gomes Neto said the company plans to raise KC-390 output from six aircraft in 2026 to seven in 2027, eight in 2028, nine in 2029 and 10 in 2030.
“We are investing to expand our production capacity for the KC-390,” Gomes Neto said during the conference call.
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May 11, 2026
The executive said the current expansion plan is sufficient to support existing campaigns, but acknowledged that potential deals with India and the U.S. Air Force could significantly alter the scale of the program.
According to Gomes Neto, Embraer is advancing in India’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) competition, which could lead to local assembly of the KC-390 along with participation from Indian suppliers.
“If we win that campaign, the aircraft will be assembled in India with a lot of local suppliers as well,” he said.
C-390 Millennium assembly line (Saab) 
Angolan Minister of Defense, Army General João Ernesto dos Santos, aboard the KC-390 (FAP) 
KC-390 in US Air Force livery (Embraer)
The company also confirmed that a similar approach is being considered in the United States through its partnership with Northrop Grumman, which is supporting efforts to offer the KC-390 to the U.S. Air Force.
“And also, if we win a relevant order, this aircraft will be assembled in the U.S. as well,” Gomes Neto added.
Embraer has intensified its push for the KC-390 in recent years as several air forces seek replacements for aging tactical transport fleets, particularly Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules aircraft. The jet has already been selected by countries including Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, South Korea, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Slovakia.
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Last week, the company announced an order from the United Arab Emirates for 10 KC-390s plus 10 options, marking the first commitment for the aircraft in the Middle East.
Gomes Neto said the UAE deal could help Embraer expand the KC-390’s presence in the region.
“Yes, we do see opportunities to sell the KC-390 to more customers in the region because of this important order of UAE,” he said.
