Lithuania Adopts Next-Generation C-390 Millennium for Military Transport

Date: June 18, 2025 – Paris, Le Bourget

The Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence has made a pivotal decision in enhancing its military capabilities by selecting the Embraer C-390 Millennium as its next-generation military transport aircraft. This selection not only aims to bolster Lithuania’s operational adeptness but also strengthens its integration with NATO allies.

Strategic Implications for NATO Interoperability

The acquisition of the C-390 Millennium aligns with Lithuania’s strategic objectives to enhance interoperability among NATO member nations. The integration process will follow established national legal frameworks, ensuring a well-regulated transition to this advanced platform.

Loreta Maskaliovienė, Lithuania’s Vice Minister of National Defence, articulated the comprehensive evaluation that led to this critical choice. “Our thorough analysis of available military transport options clearly indicates that the C-390 Millennium stands out as the most capable solution for our defense requirements," she stated. This decision is indicative of Lithuania’s commitment to modernizing its military fleet in alignment with wider NATO operational standards.

The C-390 Millennium: A Versatile Solution

Embraer, in response to its selection, emphasized the significance of the C-390 in augmenting European defense capabilities. Bosco Da Costa Junior, President & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, remarked on the aircraft’s versatility and performance, asserting that the C-390 is ideally positioned to fulfill critical missions across diverse environments.

Key Features

• Enhanced Payload and Performance:

  • Maximum payload capacity of 26 tons.
  • Operating speed of 470 knots.

• Mission Versatility:

  • Capable of troop transport, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian operations.
  • Effective operation from austere and unpaved runways.
• Advanced Tactical Capabilities:
  • Equipped for air-to-air refueling, with proven capabilities in both tanker and receiver roles.

This aircraft has already garnered operational provenance, successfully serving the Brazilian and Portuguese Air Forces since 2019 and 2023, respectively, and more recently integrating into the Hungarian Air Force in 2024. Notably, the C-390 fleet boasts a mission capability rate of 93% and mission completion rates surpassing 99%, a testament to its reliable performance.

Alignment with European Allies

Lithuania’s decision to procure the C-390 Millennium places it among a cohort of European and NATO nations actively modernizing their military transport capabilities. Countries such as Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Sweden, and Slovakia have similarly opted for this aircraft, thereby fostering stronger collaborative defense efforts within Europe.

Leveraging shared resources, training infrastructures, and maintenance networks across NATO alliances enhances Lithuania’s operational readiness and operational synergy.

Conclusion: Strengthening National Defense

The integration of the C-390 Millennium into Lithuania’s air fleet underscores the nation’s commitment to enhancing its defense posture while simultaneously bolstering NATO’s collective capabilities. By transitioning to this state-of-the-art aircraft, Lithuania not only augments its military transport efficiency but also reinforces its strategic partnerships within the alliance.

Embraer’s C-390 Millennium stands as a testament to modern military aviation technology, promising to revolutionize military logistics and operational responsiveness in Lithuania and beyond.