Colombia buys two KC 390 aircraft for USD366.4 million

Colombia signed a USD36.4 million contract for the purchase of two KC-390 Millennium aircraft in August 2026. (Erich Saumeth Cadavid)

Colombia signed a USD366.4 million contract with Embraer for the purchase of two KC-390 Millennium tactical transport aircraft on 4 August, the Colombian Aerospace Force (FAC) announced.

The agreement includes crew training, initial logistical support, ground support equipment, and other elements necessary to guarantee the KC-390s' entry into service and operation until 30 December 2030, according to Ministry of Defence technical documents related to the agreement, which Janes had access to.

The financial structure includes an advance payment of USD182.9 million, distributed in two instalments: USD94.3 million in fiscal year (FY) 2027 and USD88.5 million charged to the FY 2028 budget. The remaining balance, equivalent to roughly USD183.6 million, will be paid in 2030, once planned contractual milestones have been met, according to the Colombian Minister of Defence.

According to the Ministry of Defence's technical documents, the first aircraft will be configured as a multi-purpose platform with in-flight refuelling capability. It will incorporate two Wing Air Refueling Pods (WARPs), an auxiliary fuel tank installed in the fuselage, a camera system for air-to-air refuelling operations, and two observer stations.

Its equipment will also include L-band satellite communications, dual-channel Rohde & Schwarz UHF/VHF radios, an integrated flight information system (IFIS), a synthetic vision system (SVS), portable oxygen equipment, and mounts for electronic devices. It can also be configured for aeromedical evacuation missions with the capacity to transport up to 74 patients on stretchers, the documents said.

For self-protection, the aircraft will feature an integrated suite of survival systems consisting of a radar warning receiver (RWR), a missile approach warning system (MAWS), a laser illumination detector (LWS), and chaff and flare dispensers, according to the documents.