The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) has signed a contract with Embraer to acquire a new unit of the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS II), which will be integrated into the KC-390 Millennium aircraft in its fleet. This device will significantly enhance FAB’s response capacity to environmental emergencies, such as forest fires.
With the MAFFS II system, the KC-390 can deploy up to 12,000 liters of water in just seven seconds per flight, quickly adapting to operational needs. This will be the second system of its kind acquired by FAB, bolstering its fleet of multi-role aircraft.
According to Lieutenant-Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, Commander of the Air Force, the system has demonstrated high operational efficiency. “The MAFFS II system has shown great reaction capacity in emergencies affecting various regions of Brazil. In total, the KC-390 equipped with this system has dropped more than one million liters of water so far this year. The decision to expand this capacity is based on proven efficiency in over 100 flights and the growing demand for tools like this,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Embraer Defense and Security President and CEO Bosco da Costa Junior highlighted the versatility of the KC-390 in critical missions. “The KC-390 has proven its effectiveness in operations such as firefighting in the Pantanal, Amazon, and São Paulo during 2024. With the addition of this new MAFFS II unit, FAB will double its operational performance in these missions. We are very pleased with the progress of this multi-role platform manufactured by Embraer to meet the country’s needs,” he emphasized.
International projection of the KC-390 Millennium
Since its entry into service with FAB in 2019, the KC-390 has demonstrated an operational availability of 93% and mission completion rates exceeding 99%. Its reliability has captured the attention of international air forces, such as those of Portugal (2023) and Hungary (2024), as well as countries like the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, South Korea, and, most recently, Sweden, which confirmed its selection of the aircraft. Additionally, Slovakia has identified the KC-390 as the best option for modernizing its air transport fleet.
With this acquisition, the Brazilian Air Force strengthens its disaster response capability, consolidating the KC-390 Millennium as a strategic asset both in Brazil and in international markets.
