Brazilian aerospace firm Embraer has started building the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s first C-390 Millennium transport aircraft at its Gavião Peixoto facility in São Paulo state.
Military officials and representatives from the Dutch defense materiel agency attended the rollout, signing a portion of the fuselage to commemorate the milestone.
Part of the aircraft’s final outfitting will be carried out by Dutch aerospace companies in Woensdrecht, ensuring domestic industry participation.
The new C-390s—five in total—will replace the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s long-serving C-130 Hercules fleet, which has been in use since the 1950s.
Deliveries are planned between 2027 and 2029, with each aircraft requiring about two years to complete from assembly through systems installation.
Unified Fleet Program
The project forms part of a trilateral effort led by the Netherlands with Austria and Sweden to jointly procure and standardize the C-390 platform.
Together, the nations are acquiring 13 aircraft, with eight allocated to Austria and Sweden. The agreement also includes an option for up to seven more units.
The joint purchase aims to reduce costs through shared training, maintenance, and logistics, with all aircraft built to a common configuration to streamline operations and allow personnel exchange among the partner air forces.
The Netherlands and Austria concluded the agreement at the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2024, while Sweden joined the initiative that October.
C-390 Millennium Overview
The 35-meter (115-foot) C-390 can transport up to 26,000 kilograms (57,320 pounds) of cargo or carry 80 passengers. Its fuel capacity reaches 35,000 kilograms (77,162 pounds).
Powered by two IAE V2500-E5 engines, it can be equipped with electronic warfare systems, self-protection gear, and countermeasures.
The aircraft offers a 4,570-nautical-mile (8,464-kilometer) range, speeds above 500 knots (926 kilometers/575 miles per hour), and an operational ceiling of 11,000 meters (36,089 feet).
