Embraer announced that Lithuania has selected the C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft, marking the eighth European customer and seventh NATO member to choose the new-generation airlifter.
The decision, unveiled during the Paris Air Show, signals growing adoption of the Brazilian-made aircraft across Europe and NATO.
According to the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense, the C-390 outperformed competitors in a technical assessment based on operational, environmental, economic, and delivery criteria. The aircraft is intended to supplement Lithuania’s existing C-27J Spartan fleet and enhance the nation’s strategic airlift capability in coordination with NATO forces.
“Acquiring next-generation military aircraft gives us a critical strategic lift capacity that NATO allies in Europe are still short of,” said Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. “These new airlifters will allow us to transport troops and equipment faster, farther, and more efficiently, while strengthening the Alliance’s overall deterrent posture.”
Minister Šakalienė emphasized that rapid delivery timelines were a deciding factor. “We clearly see how quickly strategic lift capability can become essential—as in the current situation requiring evacuations from conflict zones,” she said, referring to ongoing missions involving the repatriation of Lithuanian nationals from Israel.
Embraer says the C-390 Millennium offers better fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and quieter Pratt & Whitney engines. Its maintenance intervals align with civil aviation standards, allowing the aircraft to operate cost-effectively in both peacetime and crisis scenarios.
The C-390 can carry up to 23 tons of cargo at speeds of up to 870 km/h, with a range of 2,500 km fully loaded and over 7,000 km unladen. It also supports aerial refueling, search and rescue, firefighting, and intelligence missions. Lithuania cited this versatility, in addition to Embraer’s commitment to industrial cooperation with local firms and research institutions, as key advantages.
Other buyers and prospective operators in Europe include Portugal, the Netherlands, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Sweden. Embraer reports that 11 nations worldwide have now selected the C-390.
Lithuania currently operates three Italian-made C-27J Spartans, used for troop and cargo transport, training, airdrop missions, medevac, and VIP flights. The addition of the C-390 will expand the country’s operational flexibility and its ability to support NATO-led missions.
The Lithuanian Defense Ministry noted that the final procurement details are still under negotiation. However, the selection of the C-390 represents a clear step toward reinforcing the country’s strategic mobility and NATO interoperability.