Hungary Receives Complete Embraer C-390 Military Transport Fleet
Hungary has made history in military aviation modernization by becoming the first nation to receive its complete order of Embraer C-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft. The Brazilian aerospace manufacturer delivered Hungary’s second C-390 at Kecskemet Air Base on November 21, 2025, marking a transformative moment for the country’s defense capabilities.
Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky joined Embraer executives at the handover ceremony, emphasizing the strategic importance of the acquisition. “This is a truly uplifting and joyful moment, an incredibly important event in the development of the Hungarian Air Force,” Szalay-Bobrovniczky stated. “The Hungarian people have become richer and stronger as a result. This type of transport capability was lacking in the Hungarian Air Force’s arsenal, but now it is available.”
The delivery comes with proven credentials backing Hungary’s investment. The country’s first C-390, operational since late 2024, has demonstrated exceptional reliability with a 99% mission completion rate across diverse operations. This impressive performance record likely accelerated Hungary’s position ahead of other international customers awaiting their own C-390 deliveries.
Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, highlighted the strategic partnership: “This is a significant milestone for Embraer as we deliver the second C-390 Millennium to the Hungarian Air Force. This aircraft will further enhance Hungary’s capabilities by providing superior operational performance, greater flexibility, and reduced life-cycle costs.”
The C-390 Millennium represents a quantum leap in versatility for military transport aviation. According to Embraer, the aircraft can seamlessly transition between routine cargo missions and critical life-saving operations. Its operational envelope includes medical evacuations, humanitarian relief, search and rescue, troop transport, precision airdrops, paratrooper operations, and air-to-air refueling capabilities.
Hungary’s C-390s incorporate a world-first innovation: a modular roll-on/roll-off intensive care unit that transforms the cargo bay into a fully equipped flying hospital when required. This flexibility exemplifies the modern military aviation principle of maximizing capability while minimizing fleet size and operational costs.
The C-390’s specifications make it an attractive proposition for nations seeking to modernize aging transport fleets. With a maximum payload of 26 tons and the ability to operate from austere runways, the aircraft fills a critical niche between tactical and strategic airlift platforms.
For Hungary, completing its C-390 fleet addresses a long-standing capability gap while positioning the nation as a forward-thinking NATO partner. The country’s early adoption of this platform may influence procurement decisions across the alliance, as many member states face the challenge of replacing Cold War-era transport aircraft.
Embraer’s success with Hungary demonstrates the C-390’s growing appeal in the competitive military transport market, traditionally dominated by American and European manufacturers. With several nations including Portugal, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, and South Korea having ordered the platform, the C-390 is establishing itself as a credible alternative for NATO and allied air forces.
The Hungarian Air Force can now leverage its complete C-390 fleet for both national defense requirements and international coalition operations, enhancing the country’s strategic value within NATO while maintaining operational sovereignty. As geopolitical tensions continue to emphasize military readiness and rapid response capabilities, Hungary’s investment in modern airlift capacity positions the nation to respond effectively to both defense and humanitarian contingencies.
Source ID: SRCE-2025-1764102495223-908