No. 2 S.A. could become an MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and
Overhaul) center, potentially also providing aircraft painting
services. The program also included a static display and
a demonstration flight for selected invited guests.
A transfer to Bydgoszcz was planned for December
3rd, where further announcements regarding industrial
cooperation between Embraer and PGZ S.A. companies
were expected. However, once again, weather conditions
disrupted the schedule, and the aircraft departed for the
Netherlands instead.
According to Embraer representatives, the design challenges
the long-standing dominance of the competing Lockheed
Martin C-130 Hercules. To date, the Brazilian manufacturer
has secured orders for 47 aircraft, destined for a growing
number of operators, some of whom still operate various
versions of the C-130 Hercules. An additional 19 aircraft
remain under contract options that may be exercised in the
future, partly facilitated by flexible legal frameworks.
By December 2025, Embraer had delivered 13 aircraft, which
have accumulated nearly 20,000 flight hours. Eight have
been delivered to the Brazilian Air Force, three to Portugal,
and two to Hungary. Aircraft for additional customers,
including the Netherlands, Austria, the Republic of Korea,
the Czech Republic, and Kazakhstan, are currently on the
assembly line. Beyond these, Embraer also holds a contract
for four KC-390s for Sweden and is awaiting the finalization of
agreements with Lithuania and Slovakia. While the Lithuanian
deal appears highly likely, the Slovak case may prove more
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