During a ceremony at the Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) on 22 July 2024 the Dutch Ministry of Defence signed a contract for the acquisition of nine C-390 Millennium tanker/transport aircraft. The contract relates to a joint purchase in co-operation with Austria that will see five aircraft go to the Royal Netherlands Air Force RNLAF) and four to the Austrian Air Force, with deliveries beginning in 2027.
Acquisition of C-390s will allow both countries to increase their ability to rapidly deploy or evacuate equipment and personnel worldwide, with Embraer noting in a press release that “the enhanced tactical airlift capacity provided by the C-390 increases operational flexibility and responsiveness, provides logistical support in various missions and operations, and enables a wide range of humanitarian and medical tasks”.
The joint purchase will also allow both nations – as well as current and future European operators – to co-operate and benefit from synergies in areas like training, logistics and future growth of the platform.
The C-390 entered service with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, but five were also ordered by Portugal in 2019 (the first of which was delivered to Portugal in February 2023), while Hungary ordered two in November 2020.
The C-390 is also contending with the Lockheed Martin C-130J for a tanker/transport requirement in Sweden, where the Swedish Air Force has an urgent need to replace its five C-130H Hercules (Tp84) transport aircraft and one KC-130H (Tp84T) tanker, while the Czech Republic announced its intention to buy two of the type in October 2023.
South Korea became the first Asian customer for the C-390 when it ordered three in December 2023.
With air-to-air refuelling equipment installed, in which case the aircraft is designated the KC-390, the Millennium can be configured both as a tanker and as a receiver. While the Dutch aircraft will be configured as both tankers and receivers, Austria’s aircraft will just be configured as receivers.
“We welcome the Netherlands and Austria as the newest members of the growing group of nations that have ordered the C-390 Millennium: the most efficient and modern military tactical transport currently in operation”, Bosco da Costa Jr, president and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “This aircraft is the best choice in the market, offering an unbeatable combination of high performance, advanced technology and low lifecycle costs.”
“It is great that we can sign this agreement for both Austria as the Netherlands,” added Vice-Admiral Jan Willem Hartman, National Armaments Director of the Netherlands. “This is a good example of collaboration in Europe between countries. The constructive support of Embraer has played a crucial role in the successful realisation of this agreement. We appreciate the contribution of Embraer and look forward to a successful co-operation.”
According to Embraer, the current worldwide C-390 fleet has accumulated more than 13,000 flight hours, achieving a mission capable rate of 93% and mission completion rates above 99%.
“The C-390 can carry more payload [26 tonnes] compared to other medium-sized military transport aircraft and flies faster [870 km/h] and farther, being capable of performing a wide range of missions such as transporting and dropping cargo and troops, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian missions, operating on temporary or unpaved runways,” the company states.
