Defense & Military
Embraer Completes Delivery of C-390 Fleet to Hungarian Air Force
Embraer finalizes delivery of two C-390 Millennium aircraft to Hungary featuring unique ICU modules and advanced tactical capabilities.
Embraer Concludes C-390 Millennium Deliveries to the Hungarian Air Force
We have observed a significant milestone in European defense aviation as Embraer officially completed its delivery obligations to the Hungarian Air Force. On November 21, 2025, the second and final C-390 Millennium multi-mission transport aircraft was handed over at the Kecskemét Air Base. This event marks the conclusion of a contract originally signed in November 2020, distinguishing Hungary as the first operator globally to possess a fully delivered fleet of these advanced aircraft. The prompt execution of this contract highlights the growing efficiency of Embraer’s production capabilities and the strengthening of defense ties between Brazil and Central Europe.
The arrival of this aircraft is not merely a logistical fulfillment but a strategic upgrade for the Hungarian Defence Forces. The first aircraft, delivered in September 2024, has already been integrated into operations, and with this second addition, the fleet is now at full strength. Both aircraft are stationed with the 59th “Szentgyörgyi Dezső” Air Base. We see this as a critical development for the region, as it provides Hungary with a sovereign strategic airlift capability, reducing reliance on external partners for troop deployment and humanitarian missions.
This delivery comes at a time when nations across Europe are actively modernizing their military hardware to meet evolving security challenges. The successful handover was attended by key figures including Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, the Hungarian Minister of Defence, and Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. Their presence underscores the high priority placed on this acquisition within the broader scope of Hungary’s national defense strategy.
Operational Capabilities and the World-First ICU Configuration
One of the most distinct features of the Hungarian C-390 fleet is its specialized medical evacuation configuration. We note that these are the first aircraft in the world to be equipped with a roll-on/roll-off Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This modular facility essentially functions as a “mini-hospital” in the sky, allowing medical teams to transport patients requiring full life support. Furthermore, the design includes isolation capabilities to handle patients with infectious diseases safely, ensuring the protection of the flight crew and medical staff. This capability significantly enhances NATO’s medical evacuation resources in the region.
Beyond the specialized ICU module, the aircraft retains the robust multi-mission characteristics that define the C-390 Millennium platform. In a standard medical evacuation role, devoid of the ICU module, the aircraft is capable of transporting up to 74 litters (stretchers) accompanied by eight medical attendants. In terms of performance, the C-390 offers a payload capacity of 26 tons (approximately 57,000 lbs) and a top speed of 470 knots (Mach 0.80). This speed advantage is particularly relevant when compared to legacy turboprop aircraft, allowing for faster response times in critical situations.
The fleet is also fully interoperable with NATO hardware and communications architectures. A key feature for the Hungarian Air Force is the probe-and-drogue Air-to-Air Refueling (AAR) system. This allows the C-390 to function as a tanker, capable of refueling Hungary’s fleet of JAS 39 Gripen fighters as well as other NATO-standard aircraft. Additionally, the aircraft are equipped with Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM), a defensive system designed to protect the transport against heat-seeking missiles, ensuring survivability in hostile environments.
“This aircraft delivers an unbeatable combination of performance, flexibility and reduced life cycle costs, making it the airlift of choice in Europe.”, Bosco da Costa Junior, President & CEO, Embraer Defense & Security.
Strategic Context: The “Zrínyi 2026” Modernization Program
We must analyze this delivery within the framework of Hungary’s “Zrínyi 2026” Defense and Force Development Program. This massive modernization initiative aims to overhaul the country’s military capabilities by replacing aging Soviet-era hardware with modern, Western-standard equipment. The C-390s were procured to replace the Antonov An-26 fleet, which was retired in 2020. The transition from the An-26 to the C-390 represents a generational leap in range, payload, and avionics, effectively bringing the Hungarian Air Force’s transport capabilities into the 21st century.
The acquisition of the C-390 operates in tandem with other recent procurements under the “Zrínyi 2026” umbrella, such as Leopard 2A7+ tanks, Lynx infantry fighting vehicles, and NASAMS air defense systems. By integrating the C-390, Hungary solidifies its shift toward NATO interoperability. The ability to operate from unpaved or semi-prepared runways further adds to the tactical flexibility of the Hungarian Defence Forces, allowing for operations in austere environments where traditional infrastructure may be compromised or non-existent.
From an industrial perspective, this contract has fostered deeper economic cooperation between Hungary and the aerospace sector. Embraer has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aeroplex, a Hungarian state-owned aerospace company, to qualify it as an Embraer Authorized Service Center (EASC). This agreement ensures that major maintenance can be performed locally, securing long-term support for the fleet. Additionally, Aero Vodochody, a Czech manufacturer with significant Hungarian ownership, produces key components for the C-390, creating a direct industrial link that benefits the Central European economy.
“The arrival of this aircraft represents a real milestone for the Hungarian Air Force… It is in Hungary’s security interest to have strong, well-equipped, modern defence forces, and we are working on that.”, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Hungarian Minister of Defence.
Concluding Perspectives
The completion of the C-390 Millennium delivery to Hungary serves as a case study for successful defense modernization and international industrial cooperation. With the fleet now fully operational, the Hungarian Air Force possesses a versatile asset capable of executing a wide range of missions, from humanitarian aid and medical evacuation to tactical troop transport and aerial refueling. We anticipate that the operational data gathered from Hungary’s usage of the ICU configuration will be of great interest to other current and future operators of the platform.
Looking ahead, this delivery reinforces the C-390’s growing momentum in the global market as a preferred replacement for aging tactical transport fleets. With other nations such as the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, South Korea, and Sweden selecting the platform, the C-390 is steadily establishing itself as a standard within NATO and allied air forces. For Hungary, the focus now shifts to the full operational integration of these aircraft, ensuring they stand ready to support national and alliance security objectives.
FAQ
Question: What makes the Hungarian C-390 fleet unique compared to other operators?
Answer: The Hungarian C-390s are the first in the world to feature a roll-on/roll-off Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This modular configuration allows the aircraft to serve as a flying hospital for critical care patients and includes isolation capabilities for infectious diseases.
Question: How many C-390 aircraft did Hungary purchase?
Answer: Hungary purchased a total of two C-390 Millennium aircraft. The first was delivered in September 2024, and the second was delivered on November 21, 2025, completing the fleet.
Question: What aircraft is the C-390 replacing in the Hungarian Air Force?
Answer: The C-390 Millennium fleet replaces the Soviet-era Antonov An-26 transport aircraft, which the Hungarian Air Force retired in 2020.
Question: Can the C-390 refuel other aircraft?
Answer: Yes, the Hungarian C-390s are equipped with a probe-and-drogue Air-to-Air Refueling (AAR) system, enabling them to refuel the Hungarian JAS 39 Gripen fighters and other NATO-compatible aircraft.
Sources
Military Technology
Saab Demonstrates Autonomous BVR AI Agents on Gripen E
Saab unveiled in-house AI agents for autonomous BVR air combat on the Gripen E after two years of flight testing.
Saab AB has successfully demonstrated autonomous Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air combat capabilities using proprietary artificial intelligence agents integrated into a Gripen E fighter aircraft. The Swedish aerospace manufacturer officially unveiled the in-house technology on November 3, 2026, following approximately two years of airborne testing.
In a press release issued today, Saab confirmed the flight trials mark a critical step toward developing collaborative combat aircraft networks, where crewed and uncrewed systems operate as a coordinated force. The milestone underscores the company’s strategy to maintain sovereign control over its technology stack rather than relying entirely on external software providers.
Sovereign AI development and the Sferical facility
Saab centralized its artificial intelligence development under the AI Fighter Pilot Academy (AIFPA), an infrastructure designed to create, train, and evaluate AI agents. The department driving this initiative, Saab Advanced Programs, features a workforce where 40 percent of the staff hold doctorate-level qualifications, according to Aviation International News.
Peter Nilsson, Head of Advanced Programs at Saab Aeronautics, emphasized the operational focus of the project.
“We have not only built our own AI agents, but we have also flown them. This demonstrates our capability to develop AI agents that can be integrated into operational fighter aircraft. The future of air combat will not be defined by individual platforms acting alone, but by networks of crewed and uncrewed systems working together as a coordinated force. Through our ownership of the entire technology stack, we are building the capabilities needed for that future.”
To support this development, Saab recently implemented the Sferical AI facility in Linköping, Sweden. Part-owned by Saab, Ericsson, and AstraZeneca, the sovereign computing asset utilizes Nvidia’s DGX SuperPOD architecture. Aviation International News reported that the facility is powered by 1,152 Nvidia Grace Blackwell GB300 graphics processing units. This computing power allows Saab to run a one-hour flight test simulation one billion times in the same period, compared to just 1,200 times in a traditional central processing unit environment.
Speaking to Breaking Defense, Nilsson outlined the primary challenge facing the AIFPA following the successful flight trials.
“The harder question is how we turn this success into a dependable capability that can learn, improve, and be relevant over time… that is the true purpose of the AI Fighter Pilot Academy.”
Gripen E architecture and testing timeline
Saab, which employs approximately 31,000 people globally, utilized the Gripen E as the primary testbed for its AI agents. The aircraft features a software-defined architecture that segregates mission software from flight-critical functions. This separation enables the rapid integration and testing of new technologies without requiring dedicated experimental platforms or compromising safety of flight.
Prior to unveiling its in-house agents, Saab collaborated with third-party developers to validate the aircraft’s autonomous potential. On May 28, 2025, a Gripen E trials aircraft flew for the first time with the Centaur AI agent developed by Helsing, demonstrating initial BVR air combat capabilities.
Following these third-party trials, Saab transitioned to testing its proprietary agents. The company briefed journalists on the readiness of its in-house AI agents for operational deployment on October 30, 2026, before the official public unveiling on November 3, 2026.
Collaborative combat and future integration
The integration of artificial intelligence into combat aircraft aligns with a broader industry shift toward Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) concepts. Defence contractors globally are developing networks where crewed fighters command uncrewed loyal wingman platforms.
Saab is actively testing the sensor networks required for these collaborative operations. On October 28, 2026, Saab and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) successfully flight-tested an unmanned airborne early warning (AEW) capability, integrating Saab’s LoyalEye radar with an MQ-9B unmanned UAV.
Looking ahead, Saab anticipates that the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and the Swedish Air Force will absorb these AI agents into real-world operations within months or single digits of years, according to Aviation International News. In the interim, Saab plans to expand the capabilities of its agents by flying them in a broader range of scenarios, establishing the foundation for future uncrewed platforms.
AirPro News analysis
Saab’s insistence on sovereign, in-house artificial intelligence development contrasts with competitors who heavily outsource to commercial technology firms. By owning the entire technology stack, Saab positions itself to offer highly secure, exportable AI packages free from third-party licensing bottlenecks or foreign regulatory hurdles. The massive investment in the Sferical AI facility indicates we are seeing a shift from experimental AI flight tests to industrialized, mass-scale tactical training for autonomous systems. If Saab can deliver on its timeline for Swedish Air Forces integration, the Gripen E could become one of the first Western fighters to field operational, combat-ready AI agents in frontline service.
Defense & Military
Greece Orders Up to Six Embraer KC-390 Millennium Aircraft
Greece signed a government-to-government deal with Portugal for up to six KC-390 Millennium aircraft, with first delivery in 2027.
The Hellenic Ministry of National Defense has signed a government-to-government agreement with Portugal to acquire up to six Embraer KC-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft, making Greece the seventh European nation to select the Brazilian-built tactical airlifter.
Announced by Embraer in a press release on November 2, 2026, the contract includes three firm orders and options for three additional aircraft, with the first delivery to the Hellenic Air Force scheduled for 2027. The acquisition aims to modernize Greece’s airlift and air-to-air refueling capabilities while enhancing interoperability with allied North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces.
Expanding the European footprint
The procurement is structured as a bilateral agreement between the governments of Greece and Portugal. By selecting the KC-390 Millennium, Greece joins a growing list of NATO and European Union member states transitioning to the jet-powered transport to replace legacy turboprop fleets.
Embraer views the Greek acquisition as a validation of the aircraft’s utility within the European defense architecture, where interoperability and multi-role flexibility are primary requirements for fleet modernization.
“We are honored by Greece’s decision to acquire the KC-390 Millennium. This choice underscores the trust and confidence that leading NATO members place in our aircraft,” Bosco Da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, said in the company statement. “This very important milestone further solidifies the aircraft’s position as a preferred solution for military airlift among NATO allies.”
Da Costa Junior added that the aircraft’s proven performance, reliability, and cost efficiency make it an ideal choice for nations seeking to enhance their operational capabilities.
The KC-390’s development and market position
The Embraer C-390 and KC-390 Millennium is a medium-size, twin-engine jet-powered military transport aircraft designed to perform aerial refueling, troop transport, and cargo airlift. Development of the platform began in the mid-2000s. The Brazilian Air Force formally joined the project in 2009 by awarding a development contract to Embraer, a manufacturer with over 55 years of history and more than 9,000 aircraft delivered worldwide.
The aircraft completed its maiden flight in 2015, achieved civil certification in 2018, and entered military operational service in September 2019. It was developed specifically as a modern, jet-powered alternative to legacy turboprop tactical transports like the Lockheed C-130 Hercules.
Greece is the seventh European nation to select the aircraft, joining Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Sweden. Outside of Europe, the aircraft has been acquired by the air forces of Brazil, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Colombia.
The program has seen significant momentum in recent months. On July 8, 2026, the Czech Air Force received its first C-390 Millennium transport aircraft, which featured a special three-tone gray camouflage designed by the Military History Institute in Prague. Shortly after, on July 23, 2026, Colombia signed a contract for two KC-390 Millennium transports, with one configured as a tanker to support its incoming Gripen fighter fleet.
AirPro News analysis
Embraer’s success in Europe with the KC-390 Millennium highlights a definitive shift in the tactical airlift market. For decades, the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules dominated this space. The KC-390’s jet-powered speed, payload capacity, and multi-mission flexibility have proven highly attractive to medium-sized NATO air forces looking to modernize. Securing Greece, a nation with stringent defense requirements and a focus on regional interoperability, validates Embraer’s strategy of leveraging early European adopters like Portugal to facilitate government-to-government sales. We expect this momentum to place increasing pressure on competing legacy platforms in upcoming recapitalization bids across the globe.
Defense & Military
US Army HADES Prototype ME-11B Completes First Flight
The U.S. Army’s first HADES prototype, a modified Bombardier Global 6500, completed its maiden flight on September 11, 2026.
The U.S. Army’s first High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) prototype completed its maiden flight on September 11, 2026, marking a critical milestone in the service’s transition from legacy turboprops to high-altitude jet intelligence platforms.
In a press release issued on October 30, 2026, the U.S. Army confirmed the flight followed extensive structural modifications by lead systems integrator Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) to convert a Bombardier Global 6500 business jet into a military sensor platform. The program aims to provide commanders with deep sensing capabilities to operate effectively in contested environments against advanced anti-access and area denial (A2/AD) threats.
Transitioning to deep sensing capabilities
The maiden flight represents the transition of the HADES program from the structural modification phase into mission system integration and developmental flight testing. Prior to the September 11 flight, engineers and test pilots completed structural modifications, installed mission system hardware, and conducted preliminary baseline airworthiness verification at SNC facilities, likely in Hagerstown, Maryland.
The U.S. Army is actively divesting its legacy turboprop intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) fleet, which includes platforms such as the RC-12X Guardrail and MC-12S EMARSS. These older aircraft are being replaced by high-altitude jets capable of operating further from advanced A2/AD threats. Business jets like the Bombardier Global 6500 offer operational altitudes exceeding 50,000 feet and speeds around Mach 0.9, allowing onboard sensors to achieve greater line-of-sight over the horizon compared to lower-flying turboprops.
Lt. Col. (P) James Hickey, Project Manager for the U.S. Army Fixed Wing Project Office, emphasized the operational necessity of the new platform.
“The first flight of HADES Prototype 1 transitions our vision for deep sensing from concept to reality. Deep sensing is critical to maintaining decision advantage in the future fight. HADES will help commanders see farther, understand faster, and act with greater precision across the multi-domain battlefield.”
Program timeline and fleet development
The HADES platform is a core component of the Army’s broader Multi-Domain Sensing System (MDSS) initiative. The U.S. Army Fixed Wing Project Office, alongside the Project Director Sensors–Aerial Intelligence, manages the procurement and lifecycle of the asset.
Sierra Nevada Corporation was awarded the lead systems integrator contract for the HADES program in August 2024, a deal with a reported ceiling value of $991.3 million. The contract faced a brief suspension due to a protest by competitor L3Harris before proceeding. Bombardier subsequently delivered the first Global 6500 airframe to the U.S. Army in Wichita, Kansas, on November 25, 2024.
The U.S. Army officially designated the militarized Global 6500 as the ME-11B in early 2025. Fleet expansion has continued steadily since the initial delivery. On January 13, 2026, SNC announced the acquisition of a fourth Global 6500, intended to serve as the first non-prototype aircraft in the operational fleet.
Despite the hardware progress, the final acquisition objective for the HADES fleet remains unconfirmed by the U.S. Army. A January 2026 Request for Information outlined a fleet of 11 aircraft with an objective of 14. However, defense media reports from May 2025 indicated the Army might reduce the planned fleet to six aircraft due to budget realignments. The service has not publicly clarified the final fleet size in its recent communications.
Next steps in developmental testing
With the initial flight complete, the Army and SNC will spend late 2026 and 2027 integrating and testing HADES mission systems through a comprehensive developmental flight test program. This phase is designed to validate the aircraft’s multi-domain sensing and signals intelligence (SIGINT) capabilities.
The developmental testing will determine the effectiveness and operational readiness of the integrated systems ahead of formal operational demonstrations. Hickey noted that the achievement reflects the technical precision of military, civilian, and industry partners working to deliver transformational capabilities to the joint force.
AirPro News analysis
The successful first flight of the HADES prototype underscores a structural shift in military airborne ISR procurement. By selecting commercial business jets over bespoke military airframes or traditional turboprops, the U.S. Army is prioritizing altitude, speed, and payload capacity to counter modern A2/AD networks. This mirrors the U.S. Air Force’s approach with the E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) fleet, which also utilizes a Bombardier Global airframe. The strategy allows the military to leverage billions of dollars in commercial aviation research and development, reducing both unit costs and development timelines.
However, the unresolved questions surrounding the final acquisition objective highlight the ongoing tension between ambitious multi-domain operational requirements and constrained defense budgets. If the fleet is ultimately capped at six aircraft rather than the originally envisioned 14, the Army will need to carefully manage deployment cycles and maintenance schedules to maintain persistent deep sensing coverage in key theaters like the Indo-Pacific and Eastern Europe. A smaller fleet size would place a premium on the reliability and mission capable rates of the ME-11B platform.
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