Dwarfing the June 6th announcement that Portugal’s Army was to get €32 million’s worth of new missile systems, (here) the Council of Ministers today announced the start of purchasing negotiations for six Brazilian aeroplanes at a total cost of €420 million.
The Government has approved the beginning of negotiations with Embraer to buy five of its KC-390 aircraft, with an option on a sixth, plus the government also wants to buy a CAT-D flight simulator "for installation and operation in national territory."
The value of the total transaction was not specified but it has been easy enough for industry insiders to work out. In 2014, when the Brazilian Air Force placed a firm order for 28 aircraft, the price, including logistical support, spare parts and maintenance, was around €70 million per aircraft.
A safe guesstimate is that Portugal’s bill for six aircraft will be around €420 million, excluding the cost of the flight simulator.
The Embraer KC-390 is a medium-size, twin-engine jet-powered military transport aircraft, able to perform aerial refuelling and to transport cargo and troops. It is the heaviest aircraft that the company has made to date, and is able to transport up to 29 tons of cargo, including armoured fighting vehicles. The versatile aircraft also can be used for search and rescue and aerial fire fighting duties.
The objective is to replace Portugal’s aging Hercules C-130 used by the Air Force whose ten-year useful working life has long passed.
The Brazilian aircraft manufacturer seems to have a hit on its hands as 30 countries have signed letters in intent to buy the KC-390.
In Portugal, a working group now will be set up with representation from the Defence, Finance, Economy and Science and Technology ministries, to handle the negotiations. In this way, it is expected that illicit commissions will not be channelled to private offshore accounts as was the case in the submarines contract with a German consortium in 2004.
Embraer KC-390
