The Czech Ministry of Defense will acquire two Embraer C-390 Millennium multi-mission transport aircrafts. In addition to capabilities for personnel or equipment transport, casualty evacuation or in-flight refueling, the Czech C-390s will come outfitted for fire fighting of large wildfires.
According to Defense Minister Jana Černochová, the deal with the Brazilian manufacturer should be finalized in the next few weeks and the first aircraft will be arriving in the Czech Republic next year.
Defense Minister stressed the importance of this acquisition, noting that “the Embraer C-390 Millennium aircraft fill a critical gap in our airlift capabilities, enabling us to respond more effectively to a wide range of challenges, both domestic and international.”
The new Embraer C-390 Millenniums will provide the Czech Republic with a versatile platform for a wide range of missions, including:
- Strategic transport: Ability to move troops, equipment and supplies over long distances.
- Humanitarian operations: Evacuation of the wounded, assistance in natural disasters and delivery of humanitarian aid.
- Firefighting: Equipped with aerial extinguishing systems, aircraft will be able to fight large forest fires and other disasters.
- In-flight refueling: Extending the range of other aircraft.
“The Czech Army has long needed to strengthen its capacity to transport heavy and bulky loads over long distances or to transport people from crisis areas. The evacuations from Afghanistan or Sudan clearly demonstrated this to us,” the minister added.
The Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic assures that the C-390 were acquired under conditions and at a price similar to those of other allied countries in the region.
In addition to the acquisition of the aircraft themselves, the Czech Republic is purchasing a large amount of additional equipment that will allow full use of the Millennium’s capabilities, such as firefighting capabilities, a module for patient transport or aerial refueling, additional fuel tanks to increase range, and a module for search and rescue (SAR) operations. The contract also includes the procurement of ground equipment, initial delivery of spare parts and personnel training. The total cost of the contract, including the aircraft themselves and all additional equipment, amounts to CZK 11.3 billion excluding VAT (approximately USD 492 million).
Impact on the Czech Defense Industry
The acquisition of the Embraer C-390 Millennium will not only strengthen Czech military capabilities, but will also significantly boost its defense industry. Thanks to the recent Industrial Cooperation Agreement (ICA), companies such as Aero Vodochody Aerospace and LOM Praha will see their participation in the program increase.
Embraer’s commitment to transfer technology and know-how will allow for local aircraft maintenance.
