Embraer has officially commenced structural assembly of Austria’s first C-390 Millennium aircraft. The milestone was marked by a formal ceremony at Embraer’s Gavião Peixoto production facility, attended by representatives from the Austrian government.
The C-390 Millennium is regarded as the best in its class, featuring a maximum payload of 26 tonnes, a top speed of 470 knots, and advanced technology systems. Its powerful engines, spacious cargo hold with a rear ramp, and durable landing gear allow it to perform in challenging conditions, including on unpaved runways. The aircraft is designed for a wide range of military and civilian missions, including cargo transport, personnel and vehicle deployment, peacekeeping operations, humanitarian aid, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting and disaster response.
The aircraft configured with air-to-air refuelling equipment, with the designation KC-390, can operate both as a tanker and as a receiver, in this case also by receiving fuel from another KC-390 using pods installed under the wings.
Since its entry into service with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, followed by the Portuguese Air Force in 2023 and the Hungarian Air Force in 2024, the C-390 has demonstrated exceptional performance. The fleet has collectively accumulated over 16,300 flight hours, boasting a 93% mission capability rate and a mission completion rate exceeding 99%. These figures highlight its reliability and effectiveness as a versatile, high-performance aircraft.
In addition to Brazil, Portugal, and Hungary, the Netherlands announced their choice for the Millennium in 2022. In 2023, Austria, the Czech Republic and the Republic of Korea also selected the C-390, confirming the success of this game-changer platform. In 2024, Sweden, Slovakia and an undisclosed customer also opted for the C-390.
