Lithuania Selects Embraer C-390 Millennium as Its New Military Transport Aircraft
The agreement includes industrial cooperation, maintenance, and technology transfer.
The Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence has chosen the Embraer C-390 Millennium as its next military transport aircraft, marking a major step in modernizing its logistics capabilities and enhancing interoperability with NATO forces. The decision, announced at the Le Bourget Air Show, sets the stage for the acquisition of three aircraft, following procedures outlined in national legislation.
Loreta Maskaliovienė, Lithuania’s Vice Minister of National Defence, stated that the selection followed a comprehensive comparative analysis: “We thoroughly evaluated the various military transport aircraft available on the market, and our assessment clearly indicated that the C-390 Millennium is the platform best suited to meet the operational requirements of our Armed Forces.”
In addition to the aircraft purchase, the agreement includes an industrial cooperation package featuring maintenance (MRO) capabilities, component co-production, and collaboration with research and technology development institutions. This industrial dimension reflects Lithuania’s commitment to building a more autonomous defense ecosystem aligned with European standards.
With this decision, Lithuania joins a growing list of European C-390 operators, which already includes Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Sweden, and Slovakia. This trend highlights Embraer’s transport aircraft as the preferred alternative for NATO countries seeking to replace platforms like the C-130 Hercules with a more modern, interoperable, and efficient solution.
“The C-390 combines versatility, performance, and full NATO interoperability compliance. It’s an ideal platform for executing demanding missions in the most challenging environments,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.
In service since 2019 with the Brazilian Air Force, the C-390 has since been adopted by Portugal and Hungary. It boasts a 93% operational availability rate and over 99% mission completion rate. The aircraft can carry up to 26 tonnes, fly at 470 knots, and operate from unprepared runways. It is capable of executing a wide range of missions including cargo and troop transport and airdrop, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian support. The KC-390 variant also enables aerial refueling, functioning both as receiver and tanker.
With this addition, Lithuania not only enhances its regional logistical projection but also reinforces its commitment to a resilient and interoperable collective defense architecture, a key priority in today’s evolving European strategic landscape.
Apasionado por la aviación, la historia, la política y la defensa. Editor-in-Chief en Aviacionline Defensa, combinando estos conocimiento para ofrecer un contenido valioso sobre temas estratégicos y de seguridad.
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