Akaer Inaugurates D328eco Forward Fuselage Assembly Line, First Delivery Set for End-2025
- Akaer inaugurates D328eco forward fuselage assembly line in Brazil for Deutsche Aircraft.
- First forward fuselage delivery from São José dos Campos targeted for end-2025.
- Brings 33+ years’ expertise, 10M+ engineering hours, and over 50 global aerospace programmes.
Akaer, a Brazilian leader in aerospace and defence innovation, and Deutsche Aircraft, the German OEM pioneering sustainable regional aviation, have officially inaugurated the Forward Fuselage Assembly Line for the D328eco regional turboprop aircraft at Akaer’s facilities in São José dos Campos, Brazil.
This milestone marks the D328eco’s transition from development to the industrialisation phase, underscoring the programme’s steady progress toward market readiness in Q4 2027. Akaer will lead the production of the forward fuselage, encompassing industrialisation, tooling, prototype manufacturing and associated engineering studies.
The inauguration ceremony drew senior figures from government and industry, including the Mayor of São José dos Campos, Anderson Farias, the Governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas, Vice Governor Felicio Ramuth, Ministry of Defence/SEPROD representative Ten Brig Ar Heraldo Luiz Rodrigues, and the Minister of Transport, Renan Junior.
“The D328eco will pave the way for more sustainable and efficient regional flights that connect smaller cities in Brazil and around the world. For Akaer, being part of this significant project and playing a key role in producing the forward fuselage is a source of great pride. It further strengthens our position as a Tier 1 supplier,” said Cesar Silva, CEO of Akaer.
Deutsche Aircraft’s choice of Akaer is rooted in its proven track record. With over 33 years of aerospace engineering experience, more than 10 million engineering hours, and a portfolio spanning over 50 global programmes, Akaer has consistently delivered on demanding contracts.
One of its most celebrated achievements is the full design and development of the Saab Gripen E/F’s rear fuselage, a project that took around 500,000 engineering hours. The structure was subjected to exhaustive qualification in Sweden, including 140 strain measurement points during load testing, and pushed to 50 per cent above standard operational loads. The successful completion of these trials validated the company’s engineering precision and manufacturing quality at an international level.
“The launch of another fuselage production line at Akaer represents a key milestone in the industrialisation of the D328eco programme. Akaer’s expertise and ambition to grow into a globally recognised Tier 1 supplier make them an ideal partner—both technically and strategically—in the Brazilian market,” added Nico Neumann, CEO of Deutsche Aircraft.
Beyond Gripen, Akaer has played a central role in the Turkish Aerospace Hürjet supersonic trainer, delivering the aft fuselage, central sections, and empennage under pandemic-era conditions. The company’s contribution to Embraer’s C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft further highlights its ability to deliver large, complex aerostructures for both defence and civil aviation.
Akaer’s expertise extends beyond new aircraft production into deep maintenance and structural life-extension programmes. It leads the Brazilian Air Force’s P-3AM Orion modernisation, replacing ageing wing assemblies to extend the maritime patrol fleet’s operational life.
The wing revitalisation project began in 2018, and by May 2024 the first re-winged aircraft had successfully completed its maiden flight. Each wing set involves thousands of man-hours of structural refurbishment and systems integration, with two additional wing sets already delivered and full completion targeted for October 2024. The project reflects Akaer’s ability to manage intricate sustainment work alongside cutting-edge new-build programmes.
In 2024, the company reached a historic milestone, becoming the first Brazilian aerospace firm to be recognised as a Tier 1 global supplier through its D328eco contract with Deutsche Aircraft. This status confirms Akaer’s capability to deliver complete, fully integrated aerostructures directly to final assembly lines, a level of responsibility and quality control matched by only a select few suppliers worldwide.
For the D328eco, fuselage production is part of a globally distributed manufacturing plan. Akaer’s São José dos Campos facility is responsible for the forward fuselage, while Dynamatic Technologies in Bengaluru builds the rear fuselage. Final assembly takes place at Deutsche Aircraft’s facilities in Germany. This model allows the programme to draw on specialised capabilities in different regions, while spreading supply-chain risk and ensuring cost-effective production.
An evolution of the Dornier 328 platform, the D328eco features a stretched fuselage, 40-seat capacity, and full compatibility with 100 per cent Sustainable Aviation Fuel produced via Power-to-Liquid (SAF-PtL). It is designed to achieve the lowest fuel burn and emissions in its category, targeting certification in late 2027, with Akaer’s first forward fuselage delivery expected in late 2025.
