Greece has approved the acquisition of three Embraer C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft under a €600 million modernization programme aimed at replacing the Hellenic Air Force’s ageing C-130H Hercules fleet.
Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias announced the decision on July 23 following approval by the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence (KYSEA).
The aircraft will be procured through a government-to-government agreement with Portugal. The programme, valued at approximately €600 million, includes pilot and maintenance personnel training as well as associated support services.
According to the current schedule, the first C-390 Millennium is expected to be delivered in 2027, with all three aircraft planned to enter service by 2030.
Greek officials are also considering exercising an option for three additional aircraft, which would increase the future fleet to six C-390s.
Portugal, the launch European customer for the C-390, has ordered six aircraft for its own air force and retains options for up to 10 additional units. Greece’s acquisition is expected to be sourced through part of that optional production allocation.
The programme is also expected to strengthen industrial cooperation between Greece and Embraer. In May 2026, Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) and Embraer signed a memorandum of understanding covering support activities for C-390 operations, including maintenance and sustainment.
The selection further expands the international customer base of the Brazilian-built transport aircraft. Before Greece’s decision, the C-390 Millennium had been selected by 11 countries, including Brazil, Portugal, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Austria, Slovakia, Sweden, South Korea, Lithuania, Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates.
The acquisition forms part of Greece’s long-term effort to modernize its tactical airlift capability, replacing the C-130H fleet with a newer platform while maintaining the option to expand capacity through additional aircraft in the future.