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Colombia has officially selected the Embraer KC-390 multi-mission airlifter, ordering two units and becoming the first Latin American customer beyond Brazil. A formal $366 million contract, announced on August 4, also makes Colombia the 13th nation worldwide for the versatile C-390.
The acquisition of the KC-390—the aerial-refueling-configured variant of Embraer’s popular platform—represents “a significant milestone in the modernization of Colombia’s airlift and aerial refueling capabilities,” explained the Brazilian OEM. The first aircraft is expected to arrive in Colombia in 2029, with the second following in 2030.
According to the Colombian Aerospace Force (FAC), the KC-390 acquisition is the result of “rigorous analysis” that started in 2019 with an eye to replacing its aging fleet of tanker and heavy airlifter aircraft. This includes its sole converted Boeing KC-767 multi-mission transport tanker, delivered to the FAC in 2010.
Notably, the FAC highlighted that a crucial consideration in the KC-390’s selection was its ability to refuel Colombia’s incoming Saab Gripen fighters, stating that the KC-390’s ability to integrate with the Gripen will be key to “strengthening interoperability and the country’s strategic projection capabilities.” In November 2025, Colombia officially signed a contract for 17 Gripen E/F units, which Saab said will be delivered between 2026 and 2032.
Brazil, Colombia, and Sweden have all chosen to pair the KC-390 and the Gripen in their existing or upcoming fleets. In November 2025, the Brazilian Air Force completed the certification flight test campaign for in-flight refueling of the Gripen E by the KC-390 from Embraer’s facilities in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo.
As the KC-390 continues to attract orders from around the world, Embraer intends to more than double annual production by the end of the decade: rising from four to 10 units. During a recent media tour, Embraer stated that a complete build takes around 24 months, with its current final assembly line in Gavião Peixoto able to accommodate five aircraft.