Embraer, a global industry in the aerospace sector, active in both commercial and defense, plans to make Poland a center of excellence in Europe. Francisco Gomes Neto, President and CEO of Embraer, is visiting Poland this week with a senior commercial and defense team, engaging with existing, new, and potential partners in the following areas: manufacturing, final assembly, maintenance and repair, passenger-to-freight conversions, research & development and eVTOLs.

The first announcement came yesterday with the Łukasiewicz Institute of Aviation (iLOT), focusing on Research and Development activities in the fields of materials, future flight technologies, aeronautical design and future maintenance processes. The Brazilian company and ILOT, Poland’s highly regarded research institute, have signed an agreement to work together on new aircraft technologies and materials. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed yesterday in Warsaw by Sylwester Wyka – Acting Director of Łukasiewicz – Institute of Aviation, and Francisco Gomes Neto, President and CEO of Embraer. 

Łukasiewicz – ILOT is one of Europe’s most significant aviation research facilities. Established in 1926, the Institute provides research and services for aviation, unmanned and space technologies. Together Łukasiewicz – ILOT and Embraer will begin cooperation by focusing efforts on research and development activities in the fields of materials, future flight technologies, aeronautical design and future maintenance processes.

In a long-term strategic move, Embraer is looking at partners for parts manufacturing and for a potential final assembly line for its KC-390 Millennium multi-mission military aircraft, which is currently winning orders from Europe/NATO countries and around the world. The South American firm sees in Poland the right strategic partner to join forces and build state of the art, latest generation military equipment, creating high value jobs. The aircraft assembly and associated aftermarket ecosystem (including maintenance and training) could result in value creation of close to USD 1bn and 600 jobs.

In commercial aviation the company is ramping up production and actively seeking to turbocharge its supply chain in Poland –a road show to meet new suppliers was recently completed. Polish industry is already a major supplier to Embraer’s E2 programme as the seats are made in Świebodzin, auxiliary power units in Rzeszów, and key engine components in Kalisz; contributing 1,350 jobs in the supply chain and USD 30m spend procuring goods and services in Poland in 2024 alone. Other projects under discussion include a landing gear overhaul facility for the E-Jets E2, and conversion of E-190 aircraft into freighters. The total package in commercial aviation could potentially translate into more than USD2bn investment in 10 years and more than 4,400 jobs.

The Brazilian company already has a strong footprint in Europe as 30% of the E2 is manufactured in the EU – the wings are made in Portugal, and other key components are made in France, Germany, Austria, Spain, and Belgium. Whereas for the KC-390 42% of the supply chain comes from the EU.

The South American industry is offering Poland its next-generation KC-390 Millennium military transport aircraft. This NATO-interoperable airplane is the most advanced in its category and has been acquired by Netherlands, Czech Republic, Portugal, Hungary, Brazil, Austria and South Korea, and selected by Slovakia and Sweden.