Slovakia Picks Embraer C-390 to Replace Old Soviet-Era Transport Aircraft
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On December 10, 2024, the Slovak Ministry of Defense signed a letter of intent to purchase three C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft from the Brazilian manufacturer Embraer. This acquisition is part of the modernization of the Slovak Air Force’s transport fleet, which currently relies on two C-27J Spartans. The C-390, recognized for its versatility, reliability, and capacity to carry up to 25 tons of cargo, is expected to increase Slovakia’s airlift capability fivefold.
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Embraer C-390 Millennium Transport Aircraft (Picture source: Slovak MoD)
The acquisition of the Embraer C-390 Millennium will allow Slovakia to enhance its military airlift capabilities by replacing its outdated C-27J Spartans. These new aircraft, capable of carrying up to 25 tons of cargo, will significantly boost the Slovak Air Force’s ability to address complex logistical demands both domestically and internationally. Furthermore, the purchase will enhance interoperability with NATO and EU allies, including neighboring countries such as the Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary, which have also opted for the C-390. The deal also offers benefits in terms of shared logistics, joint training, and maintenance. Additionally, these aircraft will enable Slovakia to play a crucial role in NATO’s support for Ukraine by efficiently transporting military equipment closer to the Ukrainian border.
The C-390 Millennium, powered by two IAE V2500 turbofan engines, is a versatile military transport aircraft capable of carrying up to 25 tons of cargo over a range of 2,815 kilometers at a maximum cruise speed of 850 km/h. Designed for a wide range of missions such as troop and cargo transport, medical evacuation, aerial refueling, and humanitarian operations, it stands out for its versatility and reliability. Featuring a modern cockpit and an advanced mission management system, the C-390 boasts an operational availability rate exceeding 90% and is capable of operating effectively on short and unpaved runways. These capabilities make it a strong competitor to Lockheed Martin’s C-130J Hercules, particularly in Europe, where nations such as the Netherlands, Austria, and potentially Sweden have chosen the Brazilian aircraft to modernize their fleets.
Slovakia is pursuing a comprehensive strategy to modernize its armed forces, replacing obsolete Soviet-era equipment with systems meeting NATO standards. In 2018, the country signed a €1.6 billion contract to acquire 14 F-16 Block 70 fighter jets, which will replace its aging MiG-29s. The first jets were delivered in July 2024. Concurrently, Bratislava ordered six BARAK MX air defense systems from Israel, scheduled to be operational by early 2026.
This modernization aligns with priorities established in a 2016 defense white paper and a long-term development plan approved in 2017. A new national security and defense strategy, drafted in 2020, was adopted by parliament in January 2021. As a member of NATO and the European Union, Slovakia collaborates closely with the Visegrád Group (Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia) and has agreements in place for air surveillance and the integration of air defense systems.
Since 2022, Bratislava has also strengthened its partnership with the United States through a defense cooperation agreement, enabling it to access funding under the Foreign Military Financing program. These funds have been instrumental in replacing equipment sent to Ukraine following the Russian invasion. In the same year, Germany began delivering Leopard 2A4 tanks to compensate for Slovak vehicles deployed in support of Kyiv.
In addition to modernizing its air and ground forces, Slovakia actively contributes to NATO’s collective defense. It has deployed a unit to Latvia under NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence and established the EFP Slovakia battlegroup to help defend the alliance’s eastern flank. Finally, Slovakia’s defense industry, structured around the state-owned DMD Group, includes companies like KONSTRUKTA Defence, which specializes in land systems, along with firms providing maintenance and overhaul services.
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On December 10, 2024, the Slovak Ministry of Defense signed a letter of intent to purchase three C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft from the Brazilian manufacturer Embraer. This acquisition is part of the modernization of the Slovak Air Force’s transport fleet, which currently relies on two C-27J Spartans. The C-390, recognized for its versatility, reliability, and capacity to carry up to 25 tons of cargo, is expected to increase Slovakia’s airlift capability fivefold.
Embraer C-390 Millennium Transport Aircraft (Picture source: Slovak MoD)
The acquisition of the Embraer C-390 Millennium will allow Slovakia to enhance its military airlift capabilities by replacing its outdated C-27J Spartans. These new aircraft, capable of carrying up to 25 tons of cargo, will significantly boost the Slovak Air Force’s ability to address complex logistical demands both domestically and internationally. Furthermore, the purchase will enhance interoperability with NATO and EU allies, including neighboring countries such as the Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary, which have also opted for the C-390. The deal also offers benefits in terms of shared logistics, joint training, and maintenance. Additionally, these aircraft will enable Slovakia to play a crucial role in NATO’s support for Ukraine by efficiently transporting military equipment closer to the Ukrainian border.
The C-390 Millennium, powered by two IAE V2500 turbofan engines, is a versatile military transport aircraft capable of carrying up to 25 tons of cargo over a range of 2,815 kilometers at a maximum cruise speed of 850 km/h. Designed for a wide range of missions such as troop and cargo transport, medical evacuation, aerial refueling, and humanitarian operations, it stands out for its versatility and reliability. Featuring a modern cockpit and an advanced mission management system, the C-390 boasts an operational availability rate exceeding 90% and is capable of operating effectively on short and unpaved runways. These capabilities make it a strong competitor to Lockheed Martin’s C-130J Hercules, particularly in Europe, where nations such as the Netherlands, Austria, and potentially Sweden have chosen the Brazilian aircraft to modernize their fleets.
Slovakia is pursuing a comprehensive strategy to modernize its armed forces, replacing obsolete Soviet-era equipment with systems meeting NATO standards. In 2018, the country signed a €1.6 billion contract to acquire 14 F-16 Block 70 fighter jets, which will replace its aging MiG-29s. The first jets were delivered in July 2024. Concurrently, Bratislava ordered six BARAK MX air defense systems from Israel, scheduled to be operational by early 2026.
This modernization aligns with priorities established in a 2016 defense white paper and a long-term development plan approved in 2017. A new national security and defense strategy, drafted in 2020, was adopted by parliament in January 2021. As a member of NATO and the European Union, Slovakia collaborates closely with the Visegrád Group (Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia) and has agreements in place for air surveillance and the integration of air defense systems.
Since 2022, Bratislava has also strengthened its partnership with the United States through a defense cooperation agreement, enabling it to access funding under the Foreign Military Financing program. These funds have been instrumental in replacing equipment sent to Ukraine following the Russian invasion. In the same year, Germany began delivering Leopard 2A4 tanks to compensate for Slovak vehicles deployed in support of Kyiv.
In addition to modernizing its air and ground forces, Slovakia actively contributes to NATO’s collective defense. It has deployed a unit to Latvia under NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence and established the EFP Slovakia battlegroup to help defend the alliance’s eastern flank. Finally, Slovakia’s defense industry, structured around the state-owned DMD Group, includes companies like KONSTRUKTA Defence, which specializes in land systems, along with firms providing maintenance and overhaul services.
