South Korean President Lee Jae-myung inspected a Brazilian-made C-390 military transport aircraft at Brasília Air Force Base on the 26th (local time). The inspection marked his first official activity after an 11-hour flight to Brazil for a state visit. The unusual scheduling choice — prioritizing the aircraft inspection over the presidential palace visit and summit talks — underscores the growing emphasis on defense industry cooperation between the two nations. Brazil's Embraer introduced the aircraft as the first C-390 delivered to Asia, with President Lee responding that the partnership represents a significant first step in Korea-Brazil defense collaboration. The visit follows the elevation of bilateral relations to a strategic partnership in February, with a summit scheduled for the 28th to address defense, critical minerals, supply chains, advanced industries, and energy cooperation.
Korea Becomes First Asian Customer for Brazil's C-390 Transport Aircraft
The C-390 is a next-generation medium military transport aircraft developed by Brazil using domestic technology. The aircraft has a maximum payload capacity of approximately 26 tons, performing the same missions as the U.S. Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules while offering faster cruising speeds and larger cargo space. The multi-purpose platform can conduct troop and equipment transport, aerial refueling, medical evacuation, and disaster relief operations.
The South Korean government selected the C-390 as its next-generation large transport aircraft in 2023 to replace aging C-130H transport aircraft. The total project cost is approximately 883 billion won, with deliveries to the South Korean Air Force scheduled to begin sequentially from the end of this year. South Korean Air Force personnel are currently receiving aircraft handover training in Brazil.
During the inspection, President Lee asked successive questions about flight duration with maximum cargo load, range, and aerial refueling capabilities. When Brazilian officials introduced the C-390 as "the first aircraft sent to Asia," President Lee responded, "For us too, this is the first start of defense cooperation with Brazil, so it is very meaningful." When the Brazilian side emphasized that "the Republic of Korea is the most important partner in Asia," he replied, "Let's create more cooperation in the future."
For Brazil, Korea represents a special customer. This contract marks the first Asian export case for the C-390. Embraer has secured a foothold for global market expansion, while Korea has created an opportunity to diversify its transport aircraft capabilities beyond exclusive reliance on U.S. military equipment.
Korea and Brazil Expand Defense Industry Partnership Through Complementary Capabilities
Brazil is an aerospace powerhouse possessing Embraer, the world's third-largest civil aircraft manufacturer. The country is one of the few nations capable of independently developing not only civil aircraft but also military aircraft, airborne early warning and control aircraft, and light attack aircraft.
Korea has rapidly grown as a defense export nation by securing global competitiveness in K9 self-propelled howitzers, Chunmoo multiple launch rocket systems, FA-50 light attack aircraft, submarines, and frigates. The two countries' industries are assessed to have greater mutual complementarity than competitive relations.
Brazil's strengths lie in aircraft manufacturing technology and access to the Latin American market, while Korea possesses high competitiveness in land weapon systems, electronic equipment, and naval vessels. Analysts point to significant room for cooperation including joint research and development, component supply chain construction, and joint entry into third countries.
Brazil is regarded as Latin America's largest defense market, while Korea has recently expanded exports in markets including Poland, Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Both countries share strategic interests in diversifying defense supply chains centered on the United States and Europe.
Summit Scheduled for 28th to Address Defense, Critical Minerals, and Supply Chain Cooperation
The summit scheduled for the 28th will broadly discuss not only defense but also critical minerals, supply chains, advanced industries, and energy cooperation. Brazil is a major producer of critical minerals for advanced industries including niobium, rare earths, and lithium, while also being Latin America's largest economy.
As securing critical minerals for the artificial intelligence and semiconductor era emerges as national competitiveness, the value of cooperation with Brazil for Korea is increasing from an economic security perspective as well.
FAQ
What did South Korean President Lee Jae-myung inspect first upon arriving in Brazil?
President Lee Jae-myung inspected a Brazilian-made C-390 military transport aircraft at Brasília Air Force Base on the 26th (local time) as his first official activity after an 11-hour flight to Brazil for a state visit, before visiting the presidential palace or attending summit talks.
Why is Korea purchasing Brazil's C-390 transport aircraft?
The South Korean government selected the C-390 in 2023 to replace aging C-130H transport aircraft, with a total project cost of approximately 883 billion won and deliveries scheduled to begin from the end of this year. The C-390 has a maximum payload of approximately 26 tons and offers faster cruising speeds and larger cargo space compared to the C-130J Hercules.
When is the Korea-Brazil summit scheduled and what topics will be discussed?
The summit is scheduled for the 28th and will broadly discuss defense, critical minerals, supply chains, advanced industries, and energy cooperation. Brazil is a major producer of critical minerals including niobium, rare earths, and lithium, while the two countries elevated their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership in February.
