The Czech Ministry of Defense today signed the contract for the acquisition of two Embraer C-390 Millenniummulti-mission transport aircraft.
Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová, had announced earlier this month the imminent signing of the contract with South American aerospace giant Embraer. The arrival of the first aircraft is expected next year.
These two aircraft will be delivered in NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) standard. They will be able to perform a wide range of missions, such as tactical transport of troops, vehicles and equipment, medical evacuation, firefighting, disaster management, humanitarian support and in-flight refueling.
Embraer claims that this contract not only strengthens the capabilities of the Czech Air Force, but also has a positive impact on the local aerospace industry, which will see a significant increase in its production quota for the program.
«Past and present history clearly shows us that the military needs to be able to transport people and heavier cargo over longer distances. Evacuations from Afghanistan and Sudan are clear evidence of this. I am therefore very pleased that we have managed to acquire aircraft for our Air Force that are capable of performing these tasks,» said Defence Minister Jana Černochová.
“This order from the Czech Republic, a NATO member, is an invaluable mark of confidence for Embraer. It encourages us to implement the best technology to provide our customers with the operational capabilities needed to accomplish the most demanding missions. With this order, Embraer will reinforce its ties with the local Czech aerospace industry, recognized for its expertise and product quality for decades,” said Bosco Da Costa Junior, President & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.
Along with the aircraft, Embraer will provide a complete training and support package to the Czech Air Force to ensure the smooth integration of the aircraft into its fleet. The total cost of the contract signed with Embraer amounts to approximately USD 492 million.
With a maximum payload of 26 tons, a top speed of 470 knots and state-of-the-art technology, the C-390 is the leading aircraft in its class. Its powerful engines, large cargo hold with rear ramp and robust landing gear enable it to tackle the most demanding missions, including operations from unpaved runways.
The current fleet of C-390 aircraft in service worldwide has accumulated more than 15,000 flight hours, with a mission capability rate of 93% and mission completion rates in excess of 99%, demonstrating exceptional reliability in its class. Along with the Czech Republic, the C-390 has been selected by the Netherlands, Hungary and Portugal, three NATO members, as well as Austria, Brazil and South Korea.
