South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration’s (DAPA) announcement in December that it selected Embraer’s C-390 Millennium for its Large Transport Aircraft (LTA) II project propels the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) to become the first Asian operator of the Brazilian-made tactical transport aircraft.

However, it also introduces uncertainty for Korea Aerospace Industries’ (KAI) MC-X proposal for an indigenous tactical transport aircraft.

Chosen over Airbus’ A400M and Lockheed Martin’s C-130J, the C-390 Millennium’s selection for the $54.4 million (710 billion won) project exemplifies South Korea’s balancing act between foreign procurement and indigenous development.

The selection of the C-390 Millennium aligns