Nearly a year after selecting the C-390 Millennium as its new tactical transport aircraft, the Czech Republic has approved funding of 11.3 billion Czech crowns ($490 million) for the acquisition of two Embraer jets.
According to Defense Minister Jana Černochová, the contract with Embraer will be signed in the coming weeks, possibly in November. The first of the two C-390s will be delivered as early as 2025, she said.
The government agreed on the value of the deal, which will also include additional equipment such as the MAFFS II firefighting system.
“I am convinced that it was possible to negotiate the most favorable terms possible,” Černochová said.
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At the same time as celebrating the acquisition, Embraer announced the extension of its agreement with Aero Vodochody, a Czech company that manufactures the wing leading edge, cargo ramp, rear fuselage section and doors for the C-390.
The new contract expands production of the components from four to eight sets in 2025 and a total of 12 from 2026.
The two multi-role jets will operate in conjunction with the Airbus C295 turboprop fleet and will also be able to perform aerial refueling of the Saab Gripen fighters currently in service.
However, the C-390 will not be able to serve as a tanker for the future Lockheed Martin F-35 fighters on order, which only use the boom system.
With the signing of the contract with the Czech Republic, only an estimated order of three aircraft from South Korea will remain pending. In total, Embraer has already negotiated 40 C-390 Millennium to date.
