Embraer drives significant growth in Brazilian defence exports in first half of 2025

Portuguese Air Force Embraer KC-390 Millennium at RIAT 2024. Portugal committed to buying a sixth KC-390 in June 2025. (Janes/Sam Wise)

The Brazilian defence industrial base has secured a total of USD1.31 billion in exports in the first half of 2025, largely driven by aerospace firm Embraer Defense & Security, the Secretariat of Defence Products of the Brazilian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on 7 July.

The figure represents 73.6% of Brazilian defence equipment and service exports in all of 2024, when sales of USD1.78 billion were recorded. This was the best result of the last 11 years, the MoD said.

Brazil sells defence goods to approximately 140 countries, with 34% of exports consisting of aircraft and related equipment.

The Brazilian defence industrial base consists of 283 companies and 2,064 products registered with the MoD, including aircraft, vessels, riverine boats, radar systems, non-lethal technologies, wheeled armoured vehicles, vehicle weapon stations, unmanned systems, command-and-control equipment, sighting devices, cyber-security products, electronic warfare systems, soldier gear, trucks, missiles, ammunition, and small-arms.

The USD1.31 billion in exports principally accounts for sales of aircraft and related equipment by Embraer Defense & Security. These include Portugal's commitment for a sixth KC-390 Millennium multimission transport aircraft and Sweden's order for four C-390 Millennium airlifters.

In addition, the Netherlands ordered a roll-on/roll-off medical evacuation module for its C-390 Millennium fleet. Paraguay and Uruguay committed to acquiring four and five A-29 Super Tucano light attack, reconnaissance, and training aircraft respectively.