The Austrian Ministry of Defence has announced its selection of Embraer’s C-390 Millennium aircraft as its military’s new tactical transport solution.
Vienna will acquire four C-390s for 130 million to 150 million euros ($139 million to $160 million) each, according to a report by Reuters.
It is also reportedly negotiating with the Netherlands for a potential joint procurement.
The order will be placed in the first half of 2024, as revealed by Austrian defense minister Klaudia Tanner.
#NEWS | Austrian Ministry of Defense selects the #C390 #Millennium as its new military transport aircraft. Read full news: https://t.co/z8MB9NxO2b #EmbraerStories #WeAreEmbraer pic.twitter.com/9nJap9v3tW
— Embraer (@embraer) September 20, 2023
Once delivered, Austria will become the fifth operator of the Brazilian plane alongside Brazil, Hungary, Portugal, and the Netherlands.
“Embraer is honored to be chosen to support this important Air Force in Europe,” the company stated in a press release. “Embraer is ready to support the Austrian Ministry of Defense and Air Force in order to meet the demanding requirements of their acquisition process and is prepared to further strengthen the relationship with this nation.”
About the C-390
Developed originally for the Brazilian Air Force, Embraer’s C-390 Millennium is a “state-of-the-art” aircraft set to “revolutionize military air transportation.”
It can carry up to 80 soldiers, three tanks, and one Black Hawk helicopter.
Apart from personnel and cargo transport, the aircraft can be reconfigured in less than 3 hours to support other missions, including medical evacuation, search and rescue, and aerial refueling.
The C-390 Millenium under order will replace Austria’s aging fleet of C-130 Hercules tactical airlifters.
“We are seeing a very good momentum for this airplane here in Europe. We do believe this airplane could add value and bring additional capabilities to the air forces, especially from a lifecycle costs and operational rates, like availability and dispatch ability,” Embraer chief executive Bosco da Costa Junior told Breaking Defense.
