The Ministry of National Defence of Lithuania has officially selected the Embraer C-390 Millennium as the country’s next-generation military transport aircraft. This decision represents a major milestone in boosting Lithuania’s operational readiness and enhancing interoperability with NATO allies. The acquisition process will proceed in line with national legal and procedural requirements.
Designed for operation in harsh and demanding environments, the C-390 Millennium offers superior speed, payload capacity, and mission adaptability. Lithuania joins a growing list of European and NATO countries—including Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, Czech Republic, Sweden, and Slovakia—that have also chosen the C-390 to modernize their air fleets.
Since its introduction into service with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, followed by Portugal in 2023 and Hungary in 2024, the C-390 has proven its reliability and performance, boasting a mission capability rate of 93% and mission completion exceeding 99%. The aircraft’s 26-ton payload, high speed of 470 knots, and versatility in missions such as troop and cargo transport, medevac, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian aid make it well-suited for operations from temporary or unpaved runways. Additionally, its air-to-air refueling capabilities as both tanker and receiver enhance its operational flexibility.
