South Korea Advances With Embraer C-390 And Hanwha Submarine Bid

At the bustling Singapore Airshow on February 4, 2026, Embraer, the Brazilian aerospace manufacturer, announced a significant milestone: the first C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft configured for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has successfully completed its final assembly. This achievement marks a pivotal step in the ongoing partnership between Embraer and South Korea, as the nation seeks to modernize its air mobility capabilities and strengthen its defense ties with global industry leaders.

With the freshly assembled aircraft now entering the phase of factory test flights, Embraer’s engineers will integrate systems specifically requested by the ROKAF. These modifications, tailored to South Korea’s operational requirements, underscore the customized approach that has become a hallmark of Embraer’s military aviation business. According to Embraer, this process is more than just routine testing; it’s the critical phase where the aircraft is fine-tuned to meet the unique demands of its new operator.

The C-390 Millennium, a modern military transport aircraft, was selected by South Korea after a rigorous evaluation process. The competition was fierce, with Embraer’s offering going head-to-head against the Lockheed Martin C-130J and the Airbus A400M. Ultimately, South Korea opted for the C-390, citing its superior payload capacity, operational flexibility, and advanced technology. The initial order includes three aircraft, with the deal valued at approximately 544 million U.S. dollars, as reported by Embraer at the Airshow.

But the agreement between Embraer and South Korea goes far beyond the mere purchase of aircraft. A significant element of the partnership involves the production of key C-390 components by South Korean aerospace companies. This move is designed to foster local industry expertise and create jobs, while also ensuring that the Republic of Korea has a direct stake in the long-term success and sustainability of the C-390 program. Furthermore, the establishment of a local maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) center is planned, which could evolve into a major regional hub for the C-390 and potentially other military platforms in the future.

“The efficiency of our production and the strength of our partnership with South Korea are at the core of this project,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, President of Embraer Defense & Security, during the Singapore Airshow. His remarks, as reported by Embraer, reflect a broader strategy to deepen industrial and technological cooperation with key international partners.

The C-390 Millennium itself is no ordinary aircraft. Capable of transporting up to 26 tons of cargo, it stands out among its peers for its versatility and performance. The aircraft is designed to handle a wide range of missions, from logistics and troop transport to medical evacuation and search-and-rescue operations. Embraer is also studying a multirole version of the C-390 that could serve as a weapons platform, further expanding its potential applications for air forces worldwide.

One of the Millennium’s notable features is its adaptability to NATO operations. Thanks to integration efforts led by the Portuguese Air Force, the C-390 can participate in Agile Combat Employment (ACE) missions, which are designed to provide rapid, flexible responses to emerging security challenges. This capability has made the C-390 an attractive option for a growing list of countries seeking to modernize their airlift fleets while maintaining interoperability with allied forces.

Indeed, Embraer’s C-390 Millennium is steadily gaining traction on the global stage. In Europe, the aircraft has already been selected by Portugal, the Netherlands, Sweden, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Austria. Slovakia and Lithuania have also signaled their intent to acquire the C-390 in the near future. Outside of Europe, the Millennium has found customers in Brazil, South Korea, and Uzbekistan, with ongoing negotiations underway in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and South America. According to Embraer, the aircraft’s “excellent operational efficiency rates” have been a key selling point for air forces looking for reliable, cost-effective solutions to their transport needs.

But South Korea’s ambitions in the defense sector don’t stop at aircraft. On the same day as Embraer’s announcement, another major development surfaced in the world of military procurement. Hanwha, a leading South Korean defense company, was reported as one of two finalists—alongside German shipbuilder TKMS—in a high-stakes Canadian tender to supply a new fleet of submarines. Industry sources estimate the value of the contract at more than 12 billion U.S. dollars, highlighting the scale and significance of the project for both the Canadian Navy and the international defense industry.

During an earnings call on February 4, 2026, Hanwha executives emphasized that delivery speed is a top priority for Canada. The company has proposed delivering four submarines to the Canadian Navy by the year 2035, a timeline that could give it a competitive edge over its rival. “Speed of delivery is one of the factors that Canada considers important,” Hanwha stated, according to the company’s official communication. The race for the contract is shaping up to be a showcase of technological prowess, industrial capacity, and international collaboration.

The convergence of these two stories—the rollout of the C-390 Millennium for South Korea and Hanwha’s bid for the Canadian submarine contract—offers a window into South Korea’s evolving role in the global defense landscape. Once primarily a buyer of foreign military equipment, South Korea is now positioning itself as both a discerning customer and a major supplier. The country’s aerospace and defense industries have matured rapidly over the past two decades, fueled by government investment, strategic partnerships, and a relentless focus on innovation.

For Embraer, the South Korean order represents not just a commercial victory, but a validation of its strategy to compete with established giants like Lockheed Martin and Airbus. The C-390’s expanding international footprint is a testament to the company’s ability to deliver high-performance, adaptable solutions that meet the diverse needs of modern air forces. For Hanwha, the Canadian submarine competition is an opportunity to demonstrate its capabilities on a global stage, further cementing South Korea’s reputation as a rising force in defense manufacturing.

As the C-390 Millennium prepares for its maiden test flights in South Korea, and as Hanwha awaits the outcome of the Canadian submarine tender, one thing is clear: South Korea’s defense sector is on the move, forging new alliances and reshaping the balance of power in the international arms market. The coming years will reveal just how far these ambitions can take them—but for now, the world is watching, and the stakes have never been higher.