Brazilian planemaker Embraer said on Tuesday that ​Colombia has signed a contract ‌to buy two KC-390 Millennium planes, as outgoing President Gustavo Petro seeks to ​modernize the country's military fleet.

Reuters first ​reported in May that Embraer was ⁠in talks with Colombia for a ​KC-390 deal. The announcement follows a ​2025 agreement with Saab for Gripen fighter jets that is expected to include production in Brazil ​in partnership with Embraer.

Colombia is the ​first Latin American country beyond Brazil and 13th worldwide ‌to ⁠select Embraer's KC-390 Millennium, a competitor to Lockheed Martin's C-130 Hercules.

Petro had criticized bureaucratic obstacles to his ​fleet modernization ​plans after ⁠a C-130 crashed in March.

Colombia's KC-390 jets will feature connectivity ​to operate alongside the Gripen ​fighters, ⁠Embraer said.

The contract also includes mission equipment, an integrated services and support ⁠package, ​and an offset ​program meeting Colombia's regulatory requirements. 

Source: Reuters