Embraer Delivers Second C-390 Millennium to Hungary — Contract Completed, Airlift Capability Reaches Full Strength

Image Credit: Generated From (Gemini Ai)

Embraer has formally completed its contract to supply the Hungarian Air Force with C-390 Millennium multi-mission transport aircraft after delivering the program’s second and final jet in a ceremony at Kecskemét Air Base on 21 November 2025. The handover marks a milestone for both Embraer and Hungary: Budapest becomes the first nation to receive all contracted C-390s and one of NATO’s earliest operators of the type, bolstering Hungary’s tactical airlift, medevac, and strategic logistics capabilities.

What was delivered and where

The delivered platform is the modernized C-390 Millennium — Embraer’s medium-lift transport designed to perform tactical airlift, paradrop, aerial refuelling (in tanker-equipped variants), humanitarian relief, and medical evacuation missions. Hungary’s second aircraft arrived at Kecskemét in a formal ceremony attended by Hungarian Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky and senior Embraer executives, underscoring the political as well as operational significance of the delivery. Embraer says the completion makes Hungary the “first nation to receive all contracted multi-mission aircraft” under this order.

Why the C-390 matters to Hungary

For Budapest, the C-390 delivers a step-change in capability compared with legacy airlift types. The Millennium is built around a fly-by-wire flight control system, a modern cargo handling bay that accommodates standard military pallets and vehicles, and robust performance in hot/high and austere runway conditions. Embraer and Hungarian officials stressed the aircraft’s flexibility — from tactical resupply and disaster relief to troop lift and casualty evacuation — all valuable capabilities for a NATO member improving interoperability and rapid response within and beyond Europe.

Program timeline & context

Hungary first placed its order for C-390s as part of a broader modernization of airlift and logistics assets. Embraer has steadily ramped international sales of the Millennium platform in recent years, winning customers across Europe and beyond and positioning the C-390 as an alternative to longstanding competitors in the medium-lift segment. With today’s completion of Hungary’s contract, the C-390 family continues to gain credibility in NATO circles — a trend reinforced by recent sales to other European air forces and interoperability work such as aerial refuelling and cooperative exercises.

Ceremony highlights and official statements

At Kecskemét, Hungary’s defence minister framed the delivery as a national enhancement to security and resilience. Embraer Defense & Security CEO Bosco da Costa Júnior emphasized the strategic importance of delivering on time and on specification, and pledged continued support for Hungary’s fleet sustainment and training needs. Embraer communications point to a service package that typically accompanies modern military sales: training, logistics support, spares provisioning, and integration of mission systems to national requirements.

Operational impact: what Hungary can now do

With two C-390s in service, Hungary gains a higher-tempo logistics option for NATO exercises, rapid humanitarian response in the region, and intra-European strategic lift — particularly useful for missions that require runway performance and payload flexibility. The aircraft’s ability to perform medevac with an onboard intensive care unit (ICU) configuration — a capability highlighted in other C-390 deliveries — also provides Hungary with a powerful tool for crisis response at home and on coalition missions. Embraer has previously showcased medevac and multi-role configurations on other operator deliveries, and Hungary’s fleet can be configured similarly to support varied missions.

Industrial cooperation and sustainment

Defence purchasers increasingly expect local industrial participation and long-term sustainment. Embraer’s government-to-government and commercial offers typically include logistics support and training packages; while financial and industrial offsets vary by contract, the company has pointed to growing cooperation with European suppliers and national maintenance organizations to shorten support lines and improve in-theatre readiness. For Hungary, establishing effective maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) routines — plus pilot and loadmaster training pipelines — will be key to realizing the aircraft’s full utility.

NATO interoperability and regional signalling

Hungary’s completed C-390 fleet sends a clear signal about NATO logistics modernization. The C-390’s modern avionics, datalinks and refuelling compatibility (in tanker variants) ease integration with allied forces for combined operations. As more NATO members adopt the type, commonality can reduce maintenance complexity in coalition operations and offer shared training opportunities. Embraer and analysts note that the C-390’s emergence alongside other European purchases reflects shifting procurement patterns where nations seek modern, flexible options beyond legacy platforms.

What analysts are saying

Coverage in defence press and industry outlets highlights two themes: first, the C-390 is proving commercially competitive in Europe; second, small but capable fleets like Hungary’s can punch above their weight if logistics and training are well executed. FlightGlobal’s reporting on the delivery noted that Hungary’s completed order further validates the platform in NATO service — important momentum for Embraer as it pursues additional European contracts. Observers expect Embraer to spotlight Hungary as a demonstration of the C-390’s role in NATO logistics and humanitarian operations.

Challenges and follow-on questions

Two aircraft form the initial capability, but long-term operational impact depends on how the fleet is sustained, crewed and integrated into national and NATO plans. Key questions include: will Hungary expand its fleet size or capabilities (for example, adding tanker or special mission variants)? How will Budapest manage training throughput for aircrew and maintainers? Finally, as Embraer scales production to meet broader demand, can it sustain a predictable delivery cadence and support pipeline for multiple European customers? These are watchpoints for analysts and regional planners.

The broader C-390 market outlook

Embraer’s C-390 Millennium has steadily attracted European and global buyers — part of a broader trend of modern medium-lift transports replacing aging C-130 fleets in several air arms. Continued orders from NATO members and allies suggest the platform will be a recurring presence in future procurement cycles. Embraer aims to ramp production to meet demand, leaning on a global supplier base and ongoing demonstrations of the aircraft’s multi-mission flexibility. For Hungary, being an early completer of a contracted fleet gives it an operational edge and a practical case study for other governments considering the platform.