Following the news that Embraer has signed several memorandums of understanding with Aerospace Technology of Global, EM Korea Co. and Kencoa Aerospace in South Korea;

Mathew George, Ph.D, Practice Head, Aerospace, Defense and Security at GlobalData, offers his view:

“Embraer sees the value in expanding into Asia to help grow its business. This gains further value as the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) renegotiated its order for KC-390 from 22 to 19 aircraft. If the FAB had its way, it would have reduced it further to 15.

“Embraer’s cooperation and the signing of these MoUs will give it a better footing to compete for the Large Transport Aircraft II Program, and cement at least some of the progress the company has made to market its C-390 Millennium aircraft.

“It has had orders come from the Netherlands, Portugal and Hungary other than from Brazil, but these are few in number and will need others to help develop the aircraft as a competitive option against others in the category like the C-130J-30 and the A400M.

“With the RoKAF’s familiarity with Lockheed Martin and Airbus, it will be interesting to see whether the Defense Acquisition Program Administration would consider a new aircraft type and manufacturer, and the rationale that goes behind that decision.”