The Czech Ministry of Defence has finalized a deal to acquire two Embraer C-390 Millennium transport aircraft, making the Czech Republic the fifth NATO member to incorporate the Brazilian aircraft into its air force.
Czech Defence Minister Jana Černochová emphasized the necessity of military transport capabilities, stating, “Past and present history clearly shows us that the military needs to be able to transport persons and heavier cargo over longer distances. Evacuations from Afghanistan and Sudan are clear evidence of this.” She expressed satisfaction in securing aircraft capable of fulfilling these vital tasks for the Czech Air Force.
The first two aircraft are slated for delivery to the Czech military next year, with the country’s defense industry collaborating with the Brazilian manufacturer on the procurement process. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that an Industrial Cooperation Agreement with Embraer was signed earlier this month, with the total program valued at over $82.3 million.
Czech company Aero Vodochody is already contributing to the C-390 production by manufacturing various components for the transport aircraft.
While the ministry did not disclose the exact value of the current deal, a comparison can be made with Austria’s recent acquisition of four C-390 Millennium aircraft, which was estimated at over €500 million ($540 million). Austria aims to replace its aging fleet of three C-130 Hercules cargo planes.
Alongside Austria and the Czech Republic, Brazil, Hungary, the Netherlands, Portugal, and South Korea have also selected the C-390 for their armed forces.
The Embraer C-390 is a twin-engine aircraft with a maximum concentrated payload of approximately 26 metric tons (57,320 pounds) and a maximum cruise speed of 0.8 Mach. It is designed for aerial assault operations and can transport 64 fully equipped paratroopers, according to the Brazilian manufacturer.
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