Defense & Military
Embraer Signs Long-Term Support Contract for Hungarian C-390 Fleet
Embraer secures a service agreement with Hungary to maintain C-390 Millennium aircraft, featuring unique medical evacuation capabilities.
This article is based on an official press release from Embraer.
Embraer has officially signed a comprehensive service agreement with the Hungarian Air Force to provide long-term support for its fleet of C-390 Millennium transport aircraft. The contract, announced by the manufacturer, is designed to ensure the operational readiness and availability of the two aircraft recently delivered to the NATO member nation.
According to the company’s announcement, the agreement encompasses a wide range of services, including logistics, maintenance, and technical support. This move marks a shift from the acquisition phase to the sustainment phase, ensuring that Hungary’s newly completed fleet remains mission-ready through Embraer’s expanding support infrastructure in Europe.
The service agreement leverages Embraer’s established “European footprint” to deliver maintenance and logistical solutions. While the aircraft are based in Hungary, the support network is anchored significantly in Portugal.
Industry data indicates that OGMA, an Embraer group company located in Alverca, Portugal, serves as the primary authorized service center for the region. Additionally, the newly established “Embraer Defense Europe” office in Lisbon coordinates these regional defense initiatives, facilitating cooperation among NATO operators of the C-390 platform.
The primary objective of this contract is to maintain the high reliability rates the fleet has already demonstrated. According to Embraer, the Hungarian C-390s have achieved a mission completion rate exceeding 99% since entering service, a statistic the manufacturer aims to uphold through this new support framework.
Hungary holds a unique position within the C-390 user group. It is the second NATO nation, following Portugal, to operate the aircraft, and the first to receive its full order of two units. The delivery timeline proceeded as follows:
A key differentiator for the Hungarian fleet is its specialized configuration. These aircraft are the first in the world to be equipped with a Roll-on/Roll-off Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This modular system allows the Hungarian Air Force to rapidly convert the tactical transport into a flying hospital, capable of performing complex Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) and humanitarian missions.
In a statement regarding the aircraft’s versatility, Embraer noted: “The Hungarian C-390 is the first in the world with a Roll-on/Roll-off Intensive Care Unit in its configuration, allowing the aircraft to perform humanitarian missions and Medical Evacuation.”
Beyond medical missions, the aircraft retains the standard multi-mission capabilities of the C-390 Millennium, including the transport of 26 tons of cargo, air-to-air refueling (AAR), and operation from unpaved runways.
The agreement with Hungary arrives amidst a broader adoption of the C-390 Millennium across Europe. As nations look to replace aging tactical airlift fleets, specifically the C-130 Hercules, the C-390 has secured orders or selections from several European operators.
Current and future European operators include:
The signing of this service agreement highlights a critical maturity milestone for the C-390 program in Europe. While securing orders is the first hurdle for any defense contractor, establishing a reliable, regional logistics network is essential for long-term retention and operational success.
By anchoring support in Portugal through OGMA and the Lisbon office, Embraer is effectively creating a NATO-interoperable support hub. This strategy not only services existing clients like Hungary and Portugal but also prepares the groundwork for the incoming fleets from the Netherlands, Austria, and Sweden. For Hungary, the specific focus on the ICU configuration underscores a growing trend among smaller NATO air forces to acquire dual-use assets that provide high value in both military logistics and civilian humanitarian aid.
Sources:
Embraer Secures Long-Term Support Contract for Hungarian C-390 Fleet
Scope of Support and European Infrastructure
Fleet Capabilities and Configuration
First-in-Class Medical Evacuation
Regional Context and Market Expansion
AirPro News Analysis
Embraer Press Release
Photo Credit: Embraer