By Gabriel Araujo
SAO PAULO, May 11 (Reuters) - Brazilian planemaker Embraer is in talks with Colombia and Chile for potential orders of its C-390 military transport aircraft, as it steps up output to meet growing international interest, CEO Francisco Gomes Neto told Reuters.
Brazil is the only Latin American country operating the aircraft, and fresh deals in the region would help Embraer in its goal of boosting foreign sales of the C-390, a major competitor to Lockheed Martin's C-130 Hercules.
Sales
campaigns in Latin America can take longer to conclude than in other regions due to budget approvals and procurement processes, Gomes Neto said in an interview on Friday, adding that Embraer sees the C-390 as a good fit for both countries.
"These campaigns in Latin America sometimes take a bit longer than normal. But they have a need, they like the aircraft, and they have a very close relationship with the Brazilian Air Force," he said.
Embraer may be able to reach a deal with Colombia quicker than with Chile. Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who is trying to modernize the country's military fleet, has criticized bureaucratic obstacles for delaying his plans after the crash in March of a C-130, which killed 70 people.
"Colombia may be in the shorter term because of those events," Gomes Neto said. "(Chile) I think is a medium-term campaign."
Embraer showcased the C-390 to Chilean President Jose Antonio Kast at the country's FIDAE air show last month.
PRODUCTION INCREASE
Embraer last week announced an order for up to 20 C-390s from the United Arab Emirates, its first sale of the aircraft in the Middle East, which Gomes Neto said came slightly earlier than expected amid the U.S.-Israel war with Iran.
The CEO said there is a positive vibe about the aircraft globally, with a dozen countries having selected it and production rising as supply chains recover from post-pandemic constraints.
"We'll reach 10 planes by 2030, which supports all these sales campaigns we've been working on," Gomes Neto said, noting that output this year should total six jets. "The supply chain is recovering, and we are further streamlining it."
(Reporting by Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Paul Simao)
