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Marrakech – Morocco and Brazil are reportedly in advanced negotiations over a deal worth approximately $600 million for the acquisition of up to five KC-390 Millennium military transport aircraft manufactured by Brazilian aerospace firm Embraer.
Brazilian Defense Minister José Múcio Monteiro announced he will embark on an international mission starting June to finalize pending KC-390 sales contracts.
According to Spanish outlet La Razón, while Monteiro did not name specific countries, Morocco has consistently featured in reports as one of the most concrete prospects for the aircraft.
Specialized Brazilian defense sources first reported in August 2025 that negotiations with Rabat had reached an advanced stage for around five KC-390 units. The deal, if finalized, would replace Morocco’s aging, obsolete fleet of Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules aircraft.
The Brazilian firm offered a full industrial partnership package, positioning it against a competing proposal that would only upgrade engines and avionics on Morocco’s well-used C-130H fleet.
The groundwork for the deal dates back to early 2024. A KC-390 Millennium landed at the capital Rabat and Kenitra Air Base, home to Morocco’s military cargo air transport operations. Moroccan pilots tested the aircraft during the visit, and the reception was described as extremely positive.
During the C-390 Millennium Users Group Conference in September 2024, Morocco’s flag appeared on a presentation slide alongside those of existing operators and prospective users – including Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, South Korea, the Czech Republic, the UAE, and Chile. The inclusion was unexpected, as Morocco had not formally announced a purchase.
In October 2024, the Moroccan government and Embraer signed a memorandum of understanding during the Marrakech Air Show to explore opportunities in the aeronautics sector. That agreement included plans for an integrated aviation center with a $1 billion investment, expected to generate around 1,000 jobs by 2035.
Morocco is diversifying its defense suppliers
Building on that momentum, a high-level Embraer delegation visited Morocco in April 2025 to assess the country’s aerospace supply chain potential. The company identified multiple opportunities for commercial and industrial collaboration, particularly in commercial aviation, defense, and urban air mobility.
“Morocco has a fast-growing aerospace industry, and we’ve identified key suppliers capable of joining our global supply chain,” said Roberto Chaves, Executive Vice President of Global Procurement and Supply Chain at Embraer.
The company elected Morocco as a strategic regional partner to develop a robust supply chain network, citing the country’s proven expertise in aerostructures, machining, sheet metal fabrication, and composite materials. The collaboration could also extend to training programs, Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services, and research and technological innovation.
The bilateral defense relationship gained further momentum at the LIDE Brazil-Morocco economic forum, held July 8-11, 2025, in Marrakech.
There, Brazilian Defense Products Secretary Heraldo Rodrigues stated the two countries share a “great convergence” that transcends the traditional buyer-seller model. He pointed out that the partnership aims at technology transfer, job creation, and industrial sovereignty – priorities that align closely with Rabat’s ambition to build a domestic defense industry.
The KC-390 itself has built a growing track record. The aircraft spans 35.2 meters in length with a 35-meter wingspan. It can carry up to 26 tons of cargo, 80 troops, 66 paratroopers, or 74 stretchers. Its maximum speed reaches 992 km/h with a range of 5,820 kilometers.
Embraer reports mission readiness rates above 93% and mission completion rates exceeding 99%. The aircraft has now been selected by 11 nations, including eight European countries and seven NATO members.
Embraer recently announced that the KC-390 completed an international demonstration tour covering 11 countries, more than 47,000 nautical miles, and 54 flights over 70 days. The aircraft logged nearly 140 flight hours in conditions ranging from Arctic cold to hot and humid climates, achieving a 100% campaign completion rate.
Beyond the KC-390, Morocco has reportedly shown interest in other Brazilian defense products. These include the Astros multiple rocket launcher system, capable of striking targets at distances up to 300 kilometers in its current version and 500 kilometers in its modernized variant, as well as the Guaraní 6×6 armored troop carrier produced by Iveco’s Brazilian subsidiary.
