Bydgoszcz – Embraer has officially presented the KC-390 Millennium multi-mission military transport aircraft to Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze Nr 2 S.A. (WZL-2) in Bydgoszcz, Poland, marking a milestone in the growing cooperation between the Brazilian manufacturer and the Polish aerospace and defence sector.

The presentation represents the first material step following the Memorandum of Understanding signed in Warsaw on 2 December 2025, which established a framework for industrial and technological collaboration between Embraer and Polish partners.

STRATEGIC COOPERATION WITH POLISH INDUSTRY

The arrival of the KC-390 Millennium at WZL-2 signals the beginning of deeper cooperation aimed at strengthening maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities for the aircraft in Poland.

Douglas Lobo, Vice President Customer Support and Aftermarket Sales at Embraer Services & Support, said the event reflects a shared commitment to cooperation and innovation in the defence aviation sector.

According to Lobo, closer collaboration with the Polish defence industry is intended to create long-term value while contributing to broader cooperation within the European defence community.

DEVELOPING KC-390 SUPPORT CAPABILITY

The cooperation between Embraer and WZL-2 is focused on establishing a comprehensive MRO capability for the KC-390 Millennium in Poland. The initiative is intended to support the operational readiness of the aircraft while strengthening local technical expertise and industrial capacity.

Jakub Gazda, Chief Executive Officer of WZL-2, said the partnership with Embraer opens new opportunities for the company through the exchange of knowledge and the development of technical competencies.

He noted that the KC-390 combines innovative technology, reliability and operational capability, and that the cooperation is expected to contribute to future developments in aviation innovation.

KC-390 OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE

The KC-390 Millennium is designed as a next-generation military transport aircraft capable of supporting a range of missions including cargo and troop transport, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting and humanitarian operations.

Since entering service with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, the aircraft has also been introduced into service with the Portuguese Air Force in 2023 and the Hungarian Air Force in 2024. The aircraft fleet currently demonstrates a reported mission capability rate of 93 percent and mission completion rates exceeding 99 percent.

The C-390 platform is capable of carrying payloads of up to 26 tonnes and operates at speeds of up to 470 knots. It can also operate from temporary or unpaved runways such as packed earth, soil and gravel.

When configured as the KC-390 tanker variant, the aircraft can conduct aerial refuelling operations both as a tanker and as a receiver.