In 2019, Portugal became the 2nd country to order the brandnew and promising KC-390 transporter. Signing the 1st export contract for five aircraft, Portugal's KC-390 are to replace the country's aging C-130H Hercules fleet. The 1st Portuguese KC-390 serialled "26901" was delivered on October 16, 2023, with the 2nd one (pictured here) following on June 27, 2024. Besides a KC-46, some support C-17's and six F-15's from the USAF, "26902" was the only European Air Arm aircraft participating in CRUZEX 2024.

Delivered just a few months earlier, this brand new KC-390 was among the international participants of the Cruzex 2024 exercise, held at Natal AB in Brazil in November 2024.

One of the stars of RIAT 2024, arriving on Wednesday, passing Park&View East on short final for runway 27.

First show appearance for one of Portugal's new KC-390s, from Esquadra 506 'Rhinos' at Beja. Two delivered and in service from an order for five so far.