"During my visit to Lisbon, the Portuguese President confirmed the purchase of six @embraer planes," wrote Temer on his personal Twitter feed. "More investments in Brazil."

In a video published on the same social network, Temer reiterated the information: "In Portugal we had the confirmation of the purchase of six Embraer planes, five planes plus one. A KC390 cargo plane, a very modern plane."

The Brazilian president stopped over in Portugal on Wednesday on his way to China for an official visit and the summit of BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), which is to take place in Beijing between 3 and 5 September.

His announcement follows one from Portugal's government on 27 July on the start of negotiations with Embraer on the planned purchase of five KC-390 military planes that can also be used to fight forest fires. A cabinet resolution published in the state journal that same day referred to “up to five KC-390 aircraft, with an option for one more”, and also the logistical backup and a flight simulator to be installed and operated in Portugal.

Portugal was involved in the project to develop and produce the KC-390 - a commitment reinforced in 2011 by its then minister of defence and Embraer, in an agreement under which Portugal indicated its interest in purchasing the plane.

This year has been the worst in Portugal in over a decade for forest fires, with dozens of aircraft - some of them lent by other European countries - helping combat blazes across the country's interior.