Hungarian Air Force receives its first C-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft

Europe, News September 10, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

3 minute read

Hungarian Air Force received its first C-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft on September 9, 2024. This marks a milestone for the global defense aviation industry, as the aircraft is the first in the world to feature a roll-on/roll-off intensive care unit. The delivery strengthens Hungary’s military and humanitarian capabilities.

The C-390 Millennium, produced by Brazilian aerospace giant Embraer, is a versatile and highly capable transport aircraft. The unit has been designed to meet the requirements of the Hungarian Defense Forces and is fully compatible with NATO hardware, avionics, and communications configurations. Its multi-role nature allows it to perform a wide range of missions, both military and civilian, including medical evacuation, humanitarian support, search and rescue, and even firefighting.

Hungary’s Minister of Defense, Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky, praised the acquisition, emphasizing its importance for national security. “The arrival of this aircraft represents a real milestone for the Hungarian Air Force as it will give the Hungarian Defense Forces unprecedented capabilities in military air transport,” he said. “It is in Hungary’s security interest to have strong, well-equipped, modern defense forces, and we are working on that. Embraer is an excellent partner in this.”

The C-390 Millennium is a unique aircraft of its category, offering extensive features in military air transport services. It can carry up to 26 tons of payload, outperforming other medium-sized military transport aircraft. With a top speed of 470 knots and an extended operational range, the aircraft is equipped to handle a variety of missions, even on temporary or unpaved runways.

Embraer delivered C-390 Millennium transport aircraft to Hungarian Air Force — *^{Embraer delivered the C-390 Millennium transport aircraft to the Hungarian Air Force. (Image Credit: Embraer)}*

One of its standout features is the ability to operate with air-to-air refueling equipment, making it a flexible tool in military operations. The aircraft can also function as both a tanker and a receiver, allowing it to refuel other aircraft mid-flight.

Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, also highlighted the significance of this delivery. “This is a very special moment for Embraer, as we deliver the first C-390 Millennium to the Hungarian Air Force. This aircraft delivers an unbeatable combination of performance, flexibility, and reduced life-cycle costs, making it the airlift of choice in Europe,” said da Costa Junior.

He also expressed confidence that the aircraft will greatly enhance Hungary’s military capabilities: “We are confident that the C-390 will add important capabilities to Hungary and we look forward to supporting the aircraft’s entry into service.”

The Hungarian C-390 is designed to serve a variety of roles, from cargo and troop transport to precision cargo airdrops and paratrooper operations. Its medical evacuation capabilities are further enhanced by the innovative roll-on/roll-off intensive care unit, a first for any aircraft in this category. The aircraft is also expected to play a vital role in humanitarian missions, demonstrating its dual-use nature for both defense and civilian purposes.

The aircraft first entered service with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, followed by the Portuguese Air Force in 2023. Across these operations, the C-390 fleet has accumulated over 14,000 flight hours, achieving a mission-capable rate of 93% and a mission completion rate above 99%. These figures underscore the aircraft’s exceptional productivity and reliability.