SAO PAULO, Sept 25 (Reuters) - South Africa has advanced

in talks for a potential purchase of Embraer's ( ERJ ) C-390

Millennium, the Brazilian planemaker said on Wednesday, after

showcasing the military cargo aircraft in the African nation for

the second time.

The company voiced optimism about clinching a sale as South

African authorities said they were advancing in the "necessary

steps for the selection of the much needed" aircraft for its

National Defense Force, according to a statement.

Embraer ( ERJ ) did not detail how many planes could be sold or at

which stage the process was.

A potential deal would represent the first C-390 sale to an

African country. The plane has so far been tapped by developer

Brazil as well as Portugal, Hungary, the Czech Republic,

Austria, the Netherlands and South Korea.

The multi-mission aircraft, which competes with Lockheed

Martin's ( LMT ) C-130, "is perfectly suited to replace the

legacy aircraft currently in service with South Africa," Embraer ( ERJ )

said.

The Brazilian company presented the C-390 to President Cyril

Ramaphosa and Defense Minister Angie Motshekga at the Africa

Aerospace and Defence exhibition held earlier this month at the

Waterkloof Air Force Base, it said.

Brazil and South Africa are both members of the BRICS group

of major emerging economies.