Embraer’s strategic footprint in Europe continues to deepen as the company moves forward with a powerful new partnership in the Baltic region. Following Lithuania’s landmark decision to procure the C-390 Millennium in June 2025, Embraer has now announced the beginning of long-term industrial cooperation with local Lithuanian industry—aligning defense modernization with NATO’s broader strategic ambitions.
Beyond Acquisition: Building a NATO-Ready Industrial Ecosystem
Over the past few weeks, Embraer’s delegation of aerospace and defense experts has visited key Lithuanian industrial sites to lay the groundwork for collaboration. Their focus: capabilities in MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul), engineering, innovation, and supply chain development. These discussions directly support Lithuania’s ambition to not only operate a next-generation military transport aircraft, but to co-develop the ecosystem that sustains it.
“We will contribute to Lithuania’s defense capabilities with the C-390 Millennium aircraft and also support the country’s industrial and technological development,” stated Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.
This effort aligns with strategic goals outlined by Lithuania’s Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Economy and Innovation, emphasizing resilient industrial capacity, research cooperation, and deeper integration into NATO’s logistics and support chain.
A Growing European and NATO Consensus
Lithuania’s selection of the C-390 Millennium signals more than a procurement decision—it’s a strategic alignment with a growing coalition of NATO and EU nations. Portugal, the Netherlands, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Sweden have all chosen the C-390 to modernize their tactical airlift fleets. These decisions reflect the aircraft’s unmatched operational performance and the credibility of Embraer’s industrial model.
Currently, over 40% of the C-390’s supply chain is based in Europe, and Embraer continues to expand its presence with new initiatives such as Embraer Defense Europe, headquartered in Lisbon. Training centers and further partnerships are planned, reinforcing Europe’s self-sufficiency in supporting allied airlift operations.
A Platform Built for NATO Missions
The C-390 Millennium is designed to meet the demands of modern NATO operations—from rapid troop and cargo transport to medevac, humanitarian relief, aerial firefighting, and aerial refueling (via the KC-390 configuration). Operating in austere conditions and from unprepared runways, the C-390’s adaptability is critical for frontline and peacekeeping roles alike.
With a mission completion rate above 99% and a proven capability rate of 93%, the C-390 is rapidly becoming a trusted backbone for strategic mobility within the Alliance.
Industrial Cooperation as Strategic Deterrence
In today’s geopolitical context, industrial partnerships are more than economic ventures—they are pillars of defense resilience. Embraer’s collaboration with Lithuania represents a new phase in NATO’s defense posture: one that ties capability enhancement to local industry, training, and long-term sustainability.
As tensions on NATO’s eastern flank persist, Lithuania’s move to integrate deeply into the C-390 program signals its determination to modernize with purpose—linking national defense priorities to a collective European and Atlantic security vision.
By: Katerina Urbanova
Photo credit: Embraer
About the Author
