By Rodrigo Pérsico*
Embraer is known worldwide for the quality and excellence of its aircraft, achieving remarkable recognition as a world leader in the segment of commercial jets with up to 150 seats and for the line of executive jets. In the defense segment, Embraer is best known for aircraft such as the A-29 Super Tucano, which is a global leader in the light attack and training segment, and for the C- 390 Millennium, a new state-of-the-art multi-mission transport aircraft.
Nevertheless, in the last decade, Embraer Defense & Security, its military-focused branch, has heavily invested in the diversification of its product portfolio, currently offering comprehensive solutions, which include systems for air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains.
As customers’ needs evolve, now we can offer a variety of defense systems which, combined with several platforms, help commanders and operators to gather data faster, analyze options more accurately, and expedite decisions more efficiently.
For example, in radars, Embraer is delivering the border monitoring solution to the Brazilian government. The SISFRON Project is the largest border surveillance operation in the world and uses a range of Embraer’s own radars and tactical and strategic communications linked to command and control centers.
As an exporter by nature and with a global customer base, Embraer has promoted a progressive internationalization of its operations, with the strategic objective of securing new business and strengthening the brand in selected markets. Today, Embraer Defense and Security products and solutions are operating in more than 60 countries.
In 2011, for example, Embraer expanded its institutional presence in the Gulf region with the opening of a marketing and sales office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with a focus on opening new markets and approaching important customers in several market segments.
Lebanon, for example, currently operates the A-29 Super Tucano, in addition to commercial and executive planes flying in some countries in the region. Today, we see very good opportunities in the region for defense and security products. However, we are not looking only for sales, but for strategic partnerships and new developments. Embraer Defense & Security is in a unique position to build customized solutions, including real collaboration for achieving win-win results.
In terms of innovations and the future, Embraer announced some environmental goals last year. Currently, Embraer has more than four thousand employees committed to research and development and, we are focused on adopting and adapting techniques, technology, and materials to deliver sustainable and affordable solutions to meet the world’s aviation, defense and security challenges. Our priority is to have strategic partners and invest in R&D in the search for solutions such as electrification and sustainable aviation, so that we have the necessary innovations for this scenario.
The objective is to decarbonize direct and indirect operations, focusing mainly on reductions in carbon emissions. For that, we are working on the development of electric and hybrid models, with a commitment to achieving carbon-neutral operations by 2040. In this sense, Embraer has some initiatives such as the eVTOL, a 100% electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle, which is expected to arrive on the market in 2026. Embraer also already has executive aircraft using sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and is working to expand this solution to commercial aviation and defense aircraft such as the C-390 Millennium and the A-29 Super Tucano.
*Rodrigo Pérsico is Vice President, Business Strategy, Embraer Defense & Security
