Embraer and TAI Signed MoU for MRO of C-390 Millennium and ERJ 135/ERJ 145 Transport Aircraft

11 Juli 2024

Signing MoU between Embraer and TAI (photo: TAI)

Thai Aviation Industries Co.,Ltd (TAI) signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) on developing business cooperation with Embraer Defense & Security 

Air Chief Marshal Phibun Worawanpreecha, Managing Director, signed a memorandum of understanding on the development of business cooperation between TAI and Embraer on 2 April 2024 in Brazil to increase capabilities and develop skills to become a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) center for aircraft manufactured by Embraer Defense & Security, including C-390 Millennium and ERJ 135/ERJ 145 transport aircraft in the future.

Embraer Defense & Security also visited TAI facilities at Wing 4 Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base in Nakhon Sawan Province, Thailand on 27 May 2024. 

There are already Thai government agencies that are users of aircraft manufactured by Brazil's Embraer, including the Royal Thai Army's ERJ 135 LR general aviation aircraft and the ERJ 135 LR transport aircraft of Squadron 201, Wing 2, Royal Thai Navy. The establishment of a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) center in Thailand will greatly benefit the Thai aviation industry.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on April 2, 2024 in Brazil and the visit to the Takhli Aircraft Maintenance Center, Wing 4 in Nakhon Sawan Province, Thailand on May 27, 2024, show that Embraer Brazil sees opportunities for its C-390 Millennium transport aircraft with the Royal Thai Air Force.

However, the latest Royal Thai Air Force White Paper 2024 does not provide details on the project to procure a new transport aircraft to replace the C-130H. There is also a project to improve the capabilities of the C-130H Phase 3 as mentioned above. This makes it seem that there is still no sign indicating that there will be a project to procure a new transport aircraft anytime soon.

(AAG)