South Brazilian aerospace giant Embraer and the South Korean Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen mutual growth and cooperation opportunities in the defence sectors of the two countries. The agreement aims to create new jobs and market development opportunities in the South Korean defence sector. The MoU was signed on the opening day of ADEX 2025 between Air Force Brigadier General Kang Joong-hee, Director of DAPA Aircraft Operation Division, and Embraer CEO Bosco da Costa Jr.
Transition to Mutual Growth Model and Support for Defence Exports
Air Force Brigadier General Kang Joong-hee, Director of DAPA’s Aircraft Business Division, emphasised the importance of this MoU in a statement following the agreement. Brigadier General Kang Joong-hee stated that the MoU provides an important opportunity for South Korea and Brazil to move beyond a simple buyer-seller relationship towards a “mutual growth cooperation model”.
He stated that DAPA will actively support the entry of Korean companies into the overseas supply chain and the expansion of Korean defence exports through this strategic cooperation with Embraer.
Foundation of Cooperation: KC-390 Transport Aircraft Platform
This strong partnership is based on a critical decision taken by DAPA in 2023. Within the scope of the “Large Transport Aircraft 2nd Project Model Decision Plan”, South Korea had selected Brazil-based Embraer’s C-390 Millennium platform in the process in which Airbus A400M and Embraer’s C-390 platforms competed.
The Republic of Korea Armed Forces, which currently use C-130J transport aircraft, aims to significantly improve its existing capabilities, especially in air transport, with the C-390 platform to be procured from Embraer. The C-390 Millennium aircraft will be specially configured to meet the requirements of the South Korean Air Force and will be offered a package that includes comprehensive service, support, training, ground support equipment and spare parts.
The cooperation between the two countries is not limited to the military field, but also extends to civil aviation. Embraer has been actively partnering with South Korean companies since launching the E-Jets E2 commercial aircraft programme in 2013. Most recently, last month Embraer and KOTRA, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, organised a roadshow in Sacheon and Busan, aiming to identify further areas of cooperation between the two sides. This new MoU will play a critical role in the integration of Korea’s defence industry into the global supply chain.
