Under the ‘Replacement of Tactical Airlift Capacity’ project, a collaborative contract has been established involving the Netherlands and Austria.
The Dutch Ministry of Defense signed the contract for the acquisition of nine Embraer C-390 Millennium aircraft at the Farnborough Airshow ceremony. Under the ‘Replacement of Tactical Airlift Capacity’ project, a collaborative contract has been established involving the Netherlands and Austria. The agreement entails the procurement of five aircraft for the Royal Netherlands Air Force and four aircraft for the Austrian Air Force.
Through this joint contract, both nations are seeking to boost their capability for rapid deployment and evacuation of equipment and personnel globally, even in challenging operational scenarios. The C-390’s enhanced tactical airlift capacity enhances operational flexibility and responsiveness, supporting logistics across diverse missions and operations, as well as facilitating a wide array of humanitarian and medical tasks.
Furthermore, the collaborative procurement enables cooperation between the Netherlands, Austria, and other current and prospective operators. This partnership fosters synergies in training, logistics, and future platform growth, alongside fellow C-390 operators within NATO nations. The C-390 Millennium ensures maximum operational readiness, promoting interoperability and connectivity across networked environments and multiple domains.
The adoption of the C-390 will elevate operational capabilities through improved performance, heightened reliability, and increased transport capacity. Importantly, this selection equips the Royal Dutch and Austrian Air Forces with cutting-edge technology to effectively meet future mission demands.
Bosco da Costa Jr, President and CEO, of Embraer Defense & Security, said, “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. This aircraft is the best choice in the market, offering an unbeatable combination of high performance, advanced technology and low life cycle costs.”
The C-390 stands out with its ability to carry a substantial payload of 26 tons, surpassing other medium-sized military transport aircraft. It boasts a top speed of 470 knots and an extended range, enabling it to execute diverse missions including cargo and troop transport, medical evacuation, search and rescue operations, firefighting, and humanitarian missions. Its capability to operate from temporary or unpaved runways enhances its versatility.
Vice-Admiral Jan Willem Hartman, National Armaments Director of the Netherlands, said, “It is great that we can sign this agreement for both Austria as the Netherlands. I’m happy to see that we can buy these planes with the same specifications. This is a good example of collaboration in Europe between countries. The constructive support of Embraer has played a crucial role in the successful realization of this agreement. We appreciate the contribution of Embraer and look forward to a successful cooperation”,
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When equipped with air-to-air refueling capabilities as the KC-390 variant, the aircraft can function both as a tanker and receiver. This configuration allows it to refuel other aircraft, including receiving fuel from another KC-390 using wing-mounted pods.
