Why the Czech Republic bought the Brazilian Embraer C-390 Millennium

Prague will pay $246 million for one C-390 Millennium military transport

Source:  Defense Express

Brazilian Embraer received a new customer for its C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft. It became the Czech Republic, whose defense department announced its intention to sign a firm order for two aircraft in the near future.

As the Ministry of Defense of the country officially announced, the total value of the contract will be 11.3 billion Czech crowns, i.e. approximately 492 million dollars, and the supply of the first car will take place already in 2025. Thus, in a complex supply, because the machines come with additional equipment, for example, a module for extinguishing fires, one C-390 Millennium costs 246 million dollars per unit.

But, as immediately noted in Prague, the price is indeed higher than the orders of other countries, which ordered a larger number of aircraft. It should also be added that the prices of weapons are now constantly rising against the background of its shortage.

But such explanations and in general really detailed arguments for the choice of one or another aspect of procurement are far from new for the Czech defense department. In particular, they should be reminded of their breakdown of costs for 24 Gripen fighters, to explain the rejection of the Swedish machines in favor of the F-35 with its cost of operation.

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In the end, such a purchase of the C-390 Millennium is really important for the Czech Air Force, because currently the country simply does not have military transport vehicles of this class in service, and although there are six relatively new, but light CASA C-295s with a standard carrying capacity of 7 tons against 26 tons in the C-390 Millennium.

At first glance, the issue of the choice of a Brazilian aircraft by the Czech Republic may raise questions. But in reality, Prague did not invent a “bicycle”, moreover, it followed the path of unification within NATO. Because the C-390 Millennium is already operated by the air forces of Portugal and Hungary, chosen by the Netherlands. Outside NATO – Austria, South Korea and of course Brazil itself. And for the absolute majority of customers, it was the C-390 Millennium that was chosen to replace the American C-130 Hercules.

And currently, in general, the niche of ramp aircraft with a carrying capacity of 15-30 tons is objectively not very tight. Of course, Lockheed Martin continues to produce its C-130 for more than 70 years (the current version of the C-130J-30 Super Hercules with a 20-ton payload), but the Pentagon has been talking about replacing the machine since 2010.

Below C -27J Spartan from Italian Alenia, above – the Japanese Kawasaki C-2 with 32 tons, and then in the A400M from Airbus – 37 tons. And right in the middle is the C-390 Millennium with 26 tons. His position could, of course, be shaken by An-178 from “Antonov” with 18 tons, but not under current conditions. That is why, based solely on the offers on the market, the plane from the Brazilian Embraer can already count on orders.