Embraer Defense & Security has backed up its optimistic outlook for the Middle East market by investing in a new sales office in Dubai. The Brazilian manufacturer’s team in the UAE is actively pursuing multiple sales prospects in the region as well as in Central and South Asia, according to the division’s president and CEO, Bosco da Costa Junior.
The presence at the Dubai Airshow of Embraer’s C-390 Millennium multi-role tactical transport and the A-29 Super Tucano—which it bills as a versatile platform for training, aerial interception, and surveillance roles—mirrors Embraer's new storefront in Dubai. “Customers [in the Middle East] are looking at several possible missions for the C-390, including search and rescue and inflight refueling,” da Costa told AIN in a pre-show interview. “It’s one asset for several missions and that’s why some people call it a Swiss Army Knife.”
The C-390 now has entered service with the air forces of Brazil and Portugal, and Embraer also has logged firm export sales with Hungary. Additional procurement deals remain pending with the Czech Republic, Austria, and the Netherlands. According to da Costa, the Austrian government recently declared it would like to secure a joint contract with Dutch authorities, and so Embraer took into account the shift in final contract negotiations with a view to concluding a deal in the first quarter of 2024. He reported that the in-service fleet of C-390s now logs availability rates of 80 percent, with Portugal deploying its aircraft just a couple of weeks ago.
Meanwhile, India has declared its intention to procure a multirole fleet, prompting Embraer to seek a local partner, which it expects to announce by year-end. Embraer also competes in another procurement competition in South Korea, which has reached the late stages.
It is well established that Middle Eastern military buyers want to serve as more than customers; their governments seek partnerships to boost local technical capability and employment. According to da Costa, Embraer is ready to embrace that approach and stands open to deals involving technology transfers and providing additional capabilities such as training.
In the current climate of increased geopolitical tensions and concerns over Israel’s conflict with Hamas sparking regional conflict in the Gulf, Embraer is not unmindful of Brazil’s position as a neutral nation not directly aligned with Western and Eastern blocs of protagonists. “As a neutral country, we have the flexibility to add value to many countries around the world,” da Costa commented tactfully, while also pointing out that the C-390 suits humanitarian roles as well as conflict support.
In April, Embraer launched the NATO version of the Super Tucano, and da Costa said he expects a first launch customer in the coming months. He said inquiries include several from Middle Eastern states.