Embraer, the Brazilian aircraft giant, has clinched a game-changing deal with the Netherlands and Austria for nine C-390 tactical airlifters, marking a significant leap in European defense collaboration and setting the stage for an ambitious production ramp-up.
The Netherlands, having zeroed in on the C-390 in 2022, found a like-minded partner in Austria by 2023. Fast forward to this year, and the two nations have inked a joint procurement agreement, with deliveries slated to commence in 2027 and stretch through 2030, according to Bosco da Costa Junior, Embraer’s defense and security head honcho. The price tag? Kept under wraps for now.
First in line are the Dutch, expecting three aircraft between late 2027 and early 2028. Austria follows with two, before the cycle repeats, ensuring the Netherlands and Austria each complete their orders.
While the aircraft share similar configurations, there are nuanced distinctions. Dutch KC-390s, destined for an Eindhoven base, boast both refueling and tanking capabilities, tailored for special ops helicopters. Austrian models, while refuelable, skip the tanking feature, as disclosed by a program insider.
In a nod to strategic foresight, the Netherlands is prepping a maintenance hub, with Austria reaping the benefits of tech transfer, da Costa highlighted at the signing ceremony. Vice Adm. Jan Willem Hartman of the Dutch armaments lauded this collaboration as a cost-effective blueprint for future European ventures.
Yet, with orders pouring in, Embraer faces the challenge of dodging industry-wide supply chain snags to meet its production goals. The company has the muscle to churn out 18 C-390s annually but is still ramping up. This year, they aim for four deliveries, scaling to a dozen by 2030. “We’re pushing the supply chain hard,” da Costa emphasized.
Meanwhile, Austria eyes a stopgap for its aging C-130s, considering C-390 test aircraft as a potential interim fix.
Competition is heating up elsewhere too. Embraer awaits Sweden’s decision later this year and looks forward to the Czech Republic finalizing its two-aircraft purchase soon. The Indo-Pacific is also on the radar, buoyed by South Korea’s recent commitment. “Several advanced sales campaigns are in play,” da Costa revealed.
The buzz around the C-390 isn’t confined to Brazil. Embraer is open to international production, eyeing India’s market for up to 80 tactical transports and ready to assemble there if successful. The U.S. remains a tantalizing prospect.
Even as the C-390 spreads its wings globally, Embraer isn’t hitting pause on innovation, continually tweaking the aircraft to meet diverse customer needs, da Costa affirmed.
As Embraer forges ahead, the C-390 is more than an aircraft; it’s a symbol of evolving global defense ties and technological prowess, ready to reshape the skies.
(Source: PR Newswire | Aviation Week)
