Portugal invests 220 million euros to develop the LUS-222 - its first military aircraft
- Portugal Business News
- Apr 4
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 21
Defence news EU - Portugal invests 220 million euros to develop its first military aircraft, the LUS-222.
Portugal is investing in the development of its first military aircraft, the LUS-222, a twin-engine designed by the Center for Engineering and Product Development (CEiiA), the Portuguese Air Force and Geosat.
Portugal’s LUS-222 project will be developed in partnership with Brazil since Portugal already has a cooperation agreement with Brazil in the field of aeronautics, namely the Portuguese Air Force collaborated in the development of some capabilities of the Embraer Super Tucano. The LUS-222 project will also include the involvement of Akaer, a Brazilian company that will design the aircraft structures, the wings, and the fuselage.
The LUS-222 project is financed by national and European public funds and an investment of 220 million euros is expected to produce 12 aircraft per year in one shift and 20 aircraft per year in two shifts, as well as the construction of a factory in Ponte de Sor.
The Portuguese Air Force will also be involved in the development of Portugal’s new LUS-222 aircraft since it will be able to perform aeromedical evacuations, search and rescue, transport and cargo, dropping cargo to places where it is impossible to land, according to João Cartaxo Alves, Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Air Force.
When will the LUS-222 aircraft make its first flight?
The LUS-222 is the first aircraft designed and manufactured in Portugal and is expected to make its first flight in 2028.
It will have a range of up to 2,100 kilometers and will be capable of reaching speeds of up to 370 kilometers per hour. The LUS-222 aircraft will be able to carry 19 passengers or up to two tons of cargo, and will be capable of performing military missions, search and rescue missions, and regional commercial aviation.
