Embraer has officially presented the KC-390 Millennium multi-mission military transport aircraft to Wojskowe Zaklady Lotnicze Nr 2 S.A. (WZL-2) in Bydgoszcz, Poland. This significant milestone marks the first concrete step in the strategic cooperation between the two companies, building upon the landmark Memorandum of Understanding signed on December 2, 2025, in Warsaw, which established the foundation for deeper industrial and technological collaboration. The event marks a new era of strategic cooperation between Embraer and the Polish aerospace and defense industry.
The KC-390 Millennium is a next-generation aircraft recognized for its versatility, high operational availability, and advanced technology, designed to meet the most demanding airlift and aerial refueling missions. Its arrival at WZL-2 underscores Embraer’s commitment to strengthening industrial partnerships with the Polish aerospace and defense industry. The cooperation focuses on establishing a comprehensive maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capability for the KC-390 Millennium in Poland, which will enhance operational readiness while fostering local expertise and industrial growth.
Douglas Lobo, Vice President of Customer Support & Aftermarket Sales at Embraer Services & Support, stated, “Today’s event materializes Embraer’s and WZL-2’s shared vision for innovation and collaboration in the defense industry. By working closely with the Polish defense industry, we aim to create a robust cooperation, fostering long-term value for the country while contributing to the European defense community.”
Jakub Gazda, CEO of WZL-2, said, “Today, we are gathered here at WZL-2 to admire the KC-390 aircraft, which combines innovative technical solutions, reliability, and enormous operational potential. Cooperation with Embraer opens up new opportunities for us, giving us what we want to experience — it allows us to exchange knowledge and develop our competencies. I believe that our cooperation will be an important chapter in the history of aviation innovation.”
Since entering operation with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, the Portuguese Air Force in 2023, and most recently with the Hungarian Air Force in 2024, the KC-390 Millennium has proven its capability, reliability, and performance. The current fleet in operation has demonstrated a mission capability rate of 93% and mission completion rates above 99%. The C-390 can carry more payload (26 tons) compared to other medium-sized military transport aircraft and flies faster (470 knots) and farther. It is capable of performing a wide range of missions including transporting and dropping cargo and troops, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian missions. The aircraft can operate on temporary or unpaved runways such as packed earth, soil, and gravel. The KC-390 configuration with air-to-air refueling equipment has proven its aerial refueling capacity both as a tanker and as a receiver.
Poland’s interest in the KC-390 Millennium aligns with broader European defense modernization efforts, particularly among NATO’s eastern flank nations seeking to replace aging Soviet-era transport aircraft. The establishment of MRO capabilities in Poland would support not only potential Polish KC-390 operators but also other European customers, reducing turnaround times and maintenance costs compared to sending aircraft to Brazil. WZL-2 has decades of experience maintaining military aircraft for the Polish Armed Forces, making it a natural partner for Embraer’s European expansion strategy.
Keywords: Embraer, KC-390 Millennium, WZL-2, Poland MRO, military transport aircraft, aerial refueling, Polish aerospace industry, strategic cooperation, mission capability rate, European defense community
