DEFENSE ALERT: Lithuania Plans to Acquire Brazilian Embraer C-390 Military Transport Aircraft to Replace Spartan Fleet
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According to information published by the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence on August 23, 2025, via its official X account, Lithuania has announced a formal plan to acquire the Embraer C-390 Millennium, the next-generation military transport aircraft increasingly adopted across NATO. This move reflects Lithuania’s commitment to strengthening its strategic airlift capabilities amid rising operational demands in the Baltic and broader Eastern European region.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The Embraer C-390 Millennium is a new-generation Brazilian military transport aircraft offering high-speed, multi-role capabilities and NATO interoperability, now selected by Lithuania to replace its aging C-27J Spartan fleet. (Picture source: Wikimedia)
The decision places Lithuania among a growing list of NATO member states including Portugal, the Netherlands, Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and others now investing in the C-390 to replace aging fleets and enhance interoperability within the alliance. Although the Lithuanian government had signaled its intent in June at the Paris Air Show, the August announcement signals a definitive step toward contract finalization and procurement execution. Defense officials emphasized that this procurement will serve as a major milestone in upgrading the Lithuanian Armed Forces’ mobility, logistics efficiency, and response capacity in crisis situations.
Lithuania plans to acquire three aircraft, with deliveries expected to begin before the end of the decade. The Embraer C-390 Millennium will directly replace the country’s aging fleet of C-27J Spartan transport aircraft, marking a generational leap in capabilities. Designed to deliver superior performance at a lower operational cost, the C-390 offers significant advantages in speed, payload, and mission flexibility.
The aircraft can carry up to 26 tons of cargo, including armored vehicles, helicopters, or palletized loads. Its cruising speed of 470 knots (870 km/h) and range of up to 3,260 kilometers with a 23-ton payload provide NATO-standard reach across theaters of operation. Unlike its turboprop predecessors, the C-390’s jet-powered performance ensures faster response times and reduced vulnerability during missions. It is capable of operating from semi-prepared or unpaved runways, enhancing its utility in both frontline and disaster-relief operations.
Operational versatility is one of the platform’s defining traits. The C-390 Millennium can perform multiple roles including strategic and tactical airlift, medical evacuation, search and rescue, aerial refueling (in KC-390 configuration), aerial firefighting, and even intelligence and surveillance missions. Its rapid reconfiguration capability allows a seamless transition between roles, making it ideally suited for the evolving defense posture of NATO’s eastern flank.
Furthermore, Lithuania’s selection of the C-390 was strongly influenced by its lower maintenance footprint compared to older platforms. The aircraft uses advanced diagnostic systems and modular components that reduce downtime and life-cycle costs. This translates into higher availability rates and sustained operational tempo, both critical for a small nation facing high readiness requirements.
Beyond acquisition, the Lithuanian government is actively embedding the program into its national defense-industrial base. In recent months, Embraer signed eight Memorandums of Understanding with Lithuanian defense companies, logistics service providers, and academic institutions such as Brolis Defence, Helisota, and Kaunas University of Technology. These partnerships aim to develop maintenance hubs, specialized training programs, and engineering capabilities in-country, ensuring long-term self-reliance and skills development.
With this acquisition, Lithuania is not just modernizing its airlift capability but also sending a clear message of strategic seriousness. The C-390 Millennium enhances the nation’s ability to respond to a wide spectrum of missions, from frontline logistics to humanitarian support. It also strengthens interoperability with NATO forces, especially in regional deployments and high-readiness operations.
As Baltic security dynamics continue to shift, the introduction of the C-390 marks a decisive upgrade in Lithuania’s military mobility and readiness. It equips the Lithuanian Air Force with a combat-proven platform already trusted by major European partners, while laying the groundwork for long-term industrial and strategic benefits.
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According to information published by the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence on August 23, 2025, via its official X account, Lithuania has announced a formal plan to acquire the Embraer C-390 Millennium, the next-generation military transport aircraft increasingly adopted across NATO. This move reflects Lithuania’s commitment to strengthening its strategic airlift capabilities amid rising operational demands in the Baltic and broader Eastern European region.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The Embraer C-390 Millennium is a new-generation Brazilian military transport aircraft offering high-speed, multi-role capabilities and NATO interoperability, now selected by Lithuania to replace its aging C-27J Spartan fleet. (Picture source: Wikimedia)
The decision places Lithuania among a growing list of NATO member states including Portugal, the Netherlands, Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and others now investing in the C-390 to replace aging fleets and enhance interoperability within the alliance. Although the Lithuanian government had signaled its intent in June at the Paris Air Show, the August announcement signals a definitive step toward contract finalization and procurement execution. Defense officials emphasized that this procurement will serve as a major milestone in upgrading the Lithuanian Armed Forces’ mobility, logistics efficiency, and response capacity in crisis situations.
Lithuania plans to acquire three aircraft, with deliveries expected to begin before the end of the decade. The Embraer C-390 Millennium will directly replace the country’s aging fleet of C-27J Spartan transport aircraft, marking a generational leap in capabilities. Designed to deliver superior performance at a lower operational cost, the C-390 offers significant advantages in speed, payload, and mission flexibility.
The aircraft can carry up to 26 tons of cargo, including armored vehicles, helicopters, or palletized loads. Its cruising speed of 470 knots (870 km/h) and range of up to 3,260 kilometers with a 23-ton payload provide NATO-standard reach across theaters of operation. Unlike its turboprop predecessors, the C-390’s jet-powered performance ensures faster response times and reduced vulnerability during missions. It is capable of operating from semi-prepared or unpaved runways, enhancing its utility in both frontline and disaster-relief operations.
Operational versatility is one of the platform’s defining traits. The C-390 Millennium can perform multiple roles including strategic and tactical airlift, medical evacuation, search and rescue, aerial refueling (in KC-390 configuration), aerial firefighting, and even intelligence and surveillance missions. Its rapid reconfiguration capability allows a seamless transition between roles, making it ideally suited for the evolving defense posture of NATO’s eastern flank.
Furthermore, Lithuania’s selection of the C-390 was strongly influenced by its lower maintenance footprint compared to older platforms. The aircraft uses advanced diagnostic systems and modular components that reduce downtime and life-cycle costs. This translates into higher availability rates and sustained operational tempo, both critical for a small nation facing high readiness requirements.
Beyond acquisition, the Lithuanian government is actively embedding the program into its national defense-industrial base. In recent months, Embraer signed eight Memorandums of Understanding with Lithuanian defense companies, logistics service providers, and academic institutions such as Brolis Defence, Helisota, and Kaunas University of Technology. These partnerships aim to develop maintenance hubs, specialized training programs, and engineering capabilities in-country, ensuring long-term self-reliance and skills development.
With this acquisition, Lithuania is not just modernizing its airlift capability but also sending a clear message of strategic seriousness. The C-390 Millennium enhances the nation’s ability to respond to a wide spectrum of missions, from frontline logistics to humanitarian support. It also strengthens interoperability with NATO forces, especially in regional deployments and high-readiness operations.
As Baltic security dynamics continue to shift, the introduction of the C-390 marks a decisive upgrade in Lithuania’s military mobility and readiness. It equips the Lithuanian Air Force with a combat-proven platform already trusted by major European partners, while laying the groundwork for long-term industrial and strategic benefits.
