On Tuesday, 2 December 2025, five companies belonging to the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) signed cooperation agreements with the Brazilian company Embraer (Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica) in the aviation and defense sectors. The signatories of the agreements are PGZ, Military Aviation Works No. 1 (WZL-1), Military Aviation Works No. 2 (WZL-2), the Communications Equipment Manufacturing Plant (WSK) PZL-Kalisz, and the Military Central Design and Technology Bureau (WCBKT).
Photos: PGZ
The signed documents establish a framework for broad, long-term cooperation in the aviation and defense sectors, increasing Embraer’s commitment to strengthening ties with the Polish industry, which will create opportunities for many highly skilled jobs in Poland.
In the coming weeks, PGZ and Embraer will analyze opportunities for industrial cooperation in the aviation sector, including operational support, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, component production, supply chain solutions, as well as the design, development, production, and testing of solutions in the aviation segment. The scope of cooperation may also include activities in the C4ISR domain.
The agreement with WZL-1 includes the production of metal and composite parts, technology transfer, and cooperation in areas that contribute to strengthening industrial and technological capabilities. Cooperation with WZL-2 will focus on exploring areas of collaboration in MRO for the KC-390 and other aircraft, as well as painting services.
The agreement with WSK PZL-Kalisz covers potential cooperation in the production and servicing of aviation components, mechanical processes and heat treatment, as well as training programs and consulting services. Meanwhile, together with WCBKT, the companies will assess opportunities for the joint development of ground support equipment (GSE) for the KC-390 Millennium multi-role transport aircraft.
All the agreements concluded will create a solid platform for expanding Embraer’s industrial presence in Poland and supporting long-term technological, economic, and defense cooperation.
„Thanks to the agreements signed with Embraer, the PGZ Group gains a partner who is one of the largest aviation companies in the world. Today’s event confirms that we are ready to establish long-term cooperation, which will translate into increased potential for the Polish defense industry, technology transfer, and the acquisition of new competencies in one of the key areas of the modern battlefield,” said Jan Grabowski, Vice President of the Management Board of PGZ S.A.
„At Embraer, the concept of cooperation is part of our DNA. The agreements we signed today lay a solid foundation for a long-term partnership that will effectively place Poland at the center of the industrial ecosystem we are creating in Europe,” said Bosco Da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.
In addition to the agreements signed at Warsaw Chopin Airport, Embraer officially presented the KC-390 Millennium multi-role transport aircraft and showcased the A-29 Super Tucano’s capabilities in countering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) (Embraer Enhances A-29 Super Tucano with Counter-Drone Capability).
It is worth recalling that on 3 February this year, the Brazilian company celebrated the 10th anniversary of the first flight of the C-390 Millennium prototype. Since then, orders have been received from: Brazil (19 aircraft contracted, instead of the originally planned 27), Portugal (6 aircraft with an option for 10 more), Hungary (2), the Netherlands (5), Austria (4), the Republic of Korea (3), the Czech Republic (2), Sweden (4 with an option for 7 more), and an undisclosed customer (2; possibly Morocco?). Additionally, Slovakia and Lithuania are expected to order 3 aircraft each, though the contracts have not yet been signed. The aircraft are currently being promoted on the Saudi market, in India together with the Mahindra Group under the MTA program estimated at 40–80 units, across the broader Asian market, and in Poland under the Drop program (currently frozen, though the Ministry of National Defence indicates purchases will occur). In total, out of 47 ordered serial aircraft, 12 have been delivered so far.
The aircraft is 33.5 m long, has a wingspan of 33.9 m, and is 11.4 m high. Its maximum takeoff weight is 87 tonnes, of which 26 tonnes is payload. The cargo hold measures 18.5 × 3.0 × 3.4 m. With a 23-tonne payload, the range is 2,815 km. Powered by two IAE V2500-E5 turbofan engines, each producing 139.4 kN of thrust, it achieves a cruising speed of 870 km/h and a service ceiling of 11,000 m.
✍️ #podpisane || @PGZ_pl 🤝 @embraer
🛫 Pięć spółek Grupy PGZ podpisało dziś w Warszawie porozumienie o współpracy w sektorze lotniczym i obronnym z firmą #Embraer.
✅ Sygnatariuszami porozumień są: PGZ S.A., WZL-1 S.A., @WZL2_SA, WSK „PZL-Kalisz” S.A. oraz WCBKT S.A. pic.twitter.com/TW07OCYjDQ
— Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa🇵🇱 (@PGZ_pl) December 2, 2025
NEWS | Embraer and PGZ Sign Five MoUs to Strengthen Strategic Cooperation in Poland’s Aerospace and Defense Sector. Read full news: https://t.co/mQKtXh6UcP pic.twitter.com/njPwodVRMK
— Embraer (@embraer) December 2, 2025