– This strategic decision, which paves the way for the acquisition of three C-390 marks a significant step in enhancing Lithuania’s operational readiness and interoperability with other NATO members.
– The deal will include industrial cooperation that will provide opportunities for MRO capabilities, parts co-production and partnerships with knowledge institutes
Paris, Le Bourget June 18, 2025 – The Ministry of National Defence of Lithuania has announced that the Embraer (NYSE: ERJ/ B3:EMBR3) C-390 Millennium has been chosen as country’s next-generation military transport aircraft.
This decision marks a significant step in enhancing Lithuania’s operational readiness and interoperability within NATO countries (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and paves the way for the acquisition process according to national legal procedures and legislation.
“We have carefully studied the various types of military transport aircraft available on the market, and our assessment has clearly shown that the C-390 Millennium is the most suitable platform to meet our national military operational requirements. Therefore, Lithuania has chosen Embraer Company for further negotiations and expects to finalize the acquisition contract in the coming months,” said Loreta Maskaliovienė Vice Minister of National Defence of Lithuania.
“We are honored to have been selected by the Lithuanian authorities. This selection reflects Embraer’s commitment to strengthening defense capabilities in Europe. In this regard, the C-390, with its versatility, performance, and NATO interoperability, is the ideal platform — readily available to carry out the most demanding missions,” said Bosco Da Costa Junior, President & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.
The C-390 Millennium is a next generation aircraft designed to operate in austere environments and under demanding conditions, offering superior speed, payload capacity, and mission flexibility.
Its selection aligns Lithuania with a growing number of European and NATO allies including Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, Czech Republic, Sweden and Slovakia who have also chosen the C-390 to modernize their air forces. By adopting the C-390 Millennium, Lithuania will significantly enhance its operational capabilities while benefiting from the ecosystem and synergies present in Europe in terms of support and training.
Since entering operation with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, the Portuguese Air Force in 2023 and, most recently with the Hungarian Air Force in 2024, the C-390 Millennium has proven its capability, reliability, and performance. The current fleet in operation has demonstrated a mission capability rate of 93% and mission completion rates above 99%.
The C-390 Millennium can carry more payload (26 tons) compared to other medium-sized military transport aircraft and flies faster (470 knots) 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, such as packed earth, soil and gravel. The aircraft may be configured with air-to-air refueling equipment, with the designation C-390, has already proven its aerial refueling capacity both as a tanker and as a receiver, in this case by receiving fuel from another C-390 using pods installed under the wings.
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