By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Brazilian plane manufacturer, Embraer says South African authorities is at an advance stage in talks for possible purchase of its C-390 Millennium aircraft, and may become the first African nation to procure the military cargo.
The announcement by the planemaker on Wednesday comes after it has earlier showcased the defence tool in the African nation for the second time.
Brazil and South Africa are both members of the BRICS group of major emerging economies.
Heritage Times HT gathered that C-390 aircraft which is the heaviest the Brazilian manufacturer has produced till date, can be configured to perform various conventional operations such as troop, VIP and cargo transportation.
It can also carry out more specialised logistical operations such as aerial refuelling as a tanker, carry payloads of up to 57,000 lb – such as two fully-tracked M113 armoured personnel carriers, one Boxer armoured vehicle, a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter, 74 litters with life-support equipment, up to 80 soldiers or 66 paratroopers with full gear, and loads of up to 42,000 lb can be air dropped.
The company expressed optimism about clinching its first sale as South African authorities said they were advancing in the “necessary steps for the selection of the much needed” aircraft for its National Defense Force, according to a statement.
The company did not however disclose the stage it has reached with South African government on the purchase or how many planes that could be sold.
The plane has so far been purchased by developer Brazil as well as Portugal, Hungary, The Czech Republic, Austria, The Netherlands and South Korea.
The Brazilian company presented the C-390 to President Cyril Ramaphosa and Defense Minister Angie Motshekga at the Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition held earlier this month at the Waterkloof Air Force Base, it said.
