Morocco evaluates KC-390 Millennium for strategic air fleet upgrade

Friday 28 February 2025 - 10:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco evaluates KC-390 Millennium for strategic air fleet upgrade

A KC-390 Millennium military transport aircraft, registered PT-ZNG, conducted a demonstration flight in Morocco on February 24, observed by representatives of the Royal Moroccan Air Force (FRA). This flight marked a critical phase in the evaluation process as Morocco considers acquiring the versatile aircraft.

The demonstration flight, departing from Kenitra Air Base at 14:43 UTC, lasted 57 minutes, covering Moroccan airspace, including the capital and surrounding regions. Its flight path, tracked via Flightradar24, was adjusted to showcase the aircraft’s operational capabilities.

Designed as a competitor to the C-130J Hercules, the twin-engine KC-390 Millennium is a medium-sized, multi-role aircraft capable of executing strategic transport, aerial refueling, medical evacuation, and humanitarian support missions.

Morocco is among the potential buyers of the KC-390 Millennium, having previously signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Embraer. Beyond procurement, Morocco aims to establish local production of the aircraft to achieve a highly favorable integration rate. Negotiations between Moroccan authorities and Embraer are ongoing to realize this ambition.

This initiative aligns with Morocco’s broader strategy to modernize and expand the transport and refueling capabilities of its Royal Armed Forces (FAR) fleet.

The KC-390 Millennium offers several competitive advantages. It can carry payloads of up to 26 metric tons, including wheeled armored vehicles, making it a highly versatile solution for transport and logistics. The aircraft can also accommodate 80 soldiers, 74 stretchers with eight medical personnel for evacuation missions, or deploy 66 paratroopers.

With a top speed of 992 km/h, the KC-390 boasts impressive range capabilities: 2,820 km with a 23,000 kg payload, 3,220 km with 19,000 kg, and 5,820 km with 14,000 kg. Its rear ramp allows for efficient loading and unloading of large cargo, setting it apart from the C-130 Hercules.

The KC-390 is poised to complement—and potentially replace—the FRA’s existing fleet of C-130 Hercules aircraft. At an estimated cost of 50millionperunit,theKC−390issignificantlymoreaffordablethanitscompetitors,whichoftenexceed50 million per unit, the KC-390 is significantly more affordable than its competitors, which often exceed 50millionperunit,theKC−390issignificantlymoreaffordablethanitscompetitors,whichoftenexceed130 million.

This cost-effectiveness, combined with its versatility and performance, underscores the KC-390 Millennium’s potential as a transformative addition to Morocco’s air fleet.