Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias confirmed that Greece discussed the potential acquisition of the Embraer C-390 Millennium during his official visit to Portugal, as Athens continues to assess options for modernizing the Hellenic Air Force’s transport capabilities.
Speaking at a joint press conference on May 7 in Lisbon, after a bilateral meeting with Portuguese Defense Minister Nuno Melo, Dendias said the talks focused on strengthening defense cooperation between Greece and Portugal. He said the talks also covered potential production in Portugal, as well as Greece’s possible acquisition of Embraer’s C-390 military transport aircraft.
Greece looks at new transport options
Greece currently relies on Lockheed C-130 Hercules and Leonardo C-27J Spartan aircraft for tactical airlift missions. However, availability problems affecting part of the Hercules fleet, along with the structural aging of older aircraft, have increased pressure on Athens to consider a modern replacement or complementary platform.
As a result, the Hellenic Air Force is examining options that can support a wider range of missions while reducing operational and maintenance costs.
Reports suggest that Greece is considering an initial acquisition of at least three C-390 aircraft, with the possibility of additional units in the future. Such a move would strengthen the country’s tactical airlift capacity and could also introduce an organic aerial refueling capability, a longstanding gap in the Hellenic Air Force’s structure.
Why the C-390 matters for Greece’s airlift needs
The Embraer C-390 Millennium is a medium tactical transport aircraft designed for military and humanitarian missions. It can transport troops, vehicles, equipment, and cargo, while also supporting medical evacuation, airdrop operations, firefighting, search and rescue, and aerial refueling.
The aircraft can carry up to 26 tons of cargo, depending on mission requirements. It also flies faster than traditional turboprop tactical transport aircraft such as the C-130J, giving operators greater flexibility in long-distance and time-sensitive missions.
One of its most important features is aerial refueling. The C-390 can operate both as a tanker and as a receiver aircraft. For Greece, this capability would be significant, as it could support longer-range operations and improve the endurance of aircraft taking part in national, NATO, or EU missions.
Why the aircraft Is gaining momentum in Europe
The C-390 has gained momentum in Europe in recent years, as several countries have selected it for their military transport fleets. The Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Sweden, and Lithuania have all chosen the aircraft, while Portugal already operates it.
Portugal also plays an important industrial role in the program. Portugal also has an industrial role in the C-390 program through OGMA, a Portuguese aerospace firm partly owned by Embraer, which manufactures components for the aircraft’s central fuselage. The Portuguese Air Force became the first European and NATO user of the C-390 and has already received four of the six aircraft it has ordered.
In addition, Lisbon holds an option for up to ten more aircraft. This could help Portugal respond more quickly to future European demand if additional countries decide to move forward with purchases.
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