Embraer has officially begun producing the first C-390 Millennium transport aircraft for the Royal Netherlands Air Force at its Gavião Peixoto plant in Brazil.
Dutch defense officials attended the launch ceremony, signing a fuselage section to celebrate the start of assembly.
Final outfitting tasks will be handled in part by aerospace firms in Woensdrecht, securing industrial participation from the Netherlands.
The aircraft—along with four additional C-390s—will replace the RNLAF’s aging C-130 Hercules fleet, which has been operational for more than six decades.
Deliveries are expected between 2027 and 2029, with each C-390 taking roughly two years to complete from build to systems integration.
Joint Procurement Effort
The Netherlands, Austria, and Sweden are pursuing a coordinated approach to C-390 acquisition, standardization, and support.
Under the cooperative program, the three nations will receive 13 aircraft in total, with Austria and Sweden taking delivery of eight of them and an option available for up to seven more.
The unified configuration is designed to cut operating costs and support shared training, sustainment, and logistics, enhancing interoperability among their air forces.
The Netherlands and Austria sealed the agreement at Farnborough in July 2024, with Sweden joining the initiative in October.
About the C-390 Millennium
The C-390 measures 35 meters (115 feet) in length and can carry up to 26,000 kilograms (57,320 pounds) of cargo or 80 personnel. It also holds 35,000 kilograms (77,162 pounds) of fuel.
Powered by two IAE V2500-E5 engines, the aircraft supports electronic warfare equipment, self-protection systems, and missile countermeasures.
It has a range of 4,570 nautical miles (8,464 kilometers), a top speed exceeding 500 knots (926 kilometers/575 miles per hour), and an operating ceiling of 11,000 meters (36,089 feet).
