Embraer continues to promote its KC-390 Millenium multi-role transport aircraft to South Africa and other countries in the area and to this end has appointed a Business Development Director for the Southern African Region.
Embraer made the announcement on 20 January, saying Leandro Marc Pienaar will lead Embraer’s Defence & Security business development efforts in the Southern Africa region, promoting the KC-390 Millennium multi-mission transport aircraft, the A-29 Super Tucano, alongside Embraer’s full portfolio of defence products and solutions.
“This appointment reflects Embraer’s long-term strategic vision to deliver state-of-the-art operational capabilities while fostering collaboration with Southern African countries and local industry, driving growth and contributing to the country’s economic development,” Embraer said.
Pienaar previously served as Head of Business Development for Africa at Milkor for several years, where he successfully negotiated and supported multi-million-dollar defence contracts across the continent. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pretoria and as a passionate aviation enthusiast, Leandro also holds a private pilot license.
Embraer has brought its KC-390 to South Africa twice, including for the September 2024 Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition. In April last year it signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Denel strengthen the companies’ strategic partnership with special focus on Embraer’s new generation transport aircraft.
“We are looking forward to providing South Africa with the most advanced aircraft in its category while co-operating with South Africa’s defence industry,” Fabio Caparica, Vice President of Contracts at Embraer Defence and Security, said at the time.
The KC-390 Millennium is a next generation military transport aircraft particularly suited for operations in South Africa, according to Embraer. Its versatility, ease of reconfiguration between missions and ability to operate from unprepared airstrips make it an ideal, cost-efficient, aircraft for modern armed forces on the African continent.
The KC-390 can carry more payload (26 tons) compared to other medium-sized military transport aircraft and fly faster (470 knots) and farther, Embraer said of its airlifter. It is capable of performing a wide range of missions including humanitarian aid, transport and airdrop of cargo and troops, air-to-air refuelling as tanker and receiver, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting and special operations, while operating from temporary or unpaved runways such as packed earth, soil and gravel.
The C-390 has been ordered by Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Sweden, the Republic of Uzbekistan, Slovakia and Lithuania.
