The first C-390 Millennium transport aircraft was handed over to the Czech Air Force by Embraer on July 16, 2026, during a ceremony at Prague Kbely Air Base. The delivery marks the start of a new airlift capability for the country’s armed forces.
This comes just 20 months after the Czech Republic signed its acquisition agreement with the Brazilian manufacturer, a turnaround that Embraer pointed to as a sign of its ability to move swiftly in relation to customers’ timelines.
The ceremony drew a number of senior officials, including Czech Defense Minister Jaromír Zůna; General Miroslav Hlaváč, Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces; General Petr Tománek, Commander of the Czech Air Force; and Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.
NEWS | Embraer Delivers First C-390 Millennium to Czech Air Force Just 20 Months After Contract Signing. Read Full News: https://t.co/uSP43zhIjS pic.twitter.com/TMiL6Fdct0
— Embraer (@embraer) July 16, 2026
What the aircraft brings to the Czech Air Force
Brigadier General Jaroslav Falta, Commander of the 24th Air Transportation Base, declared that the C-390 will give the Czech Air Force a meaningful new ability to move heavy and oversized cargo across long distances, supporting both NATO operations and domestic emergency response. He added that, while the aircraft itself is impressive, its real value comes down to the people trained to operate it.
Defense Minister Zůna echoed that sentiment, describing the delivery as a milestone that strengthens the country’s ability to transport personnel, equipment, and humanitarian aid, whether acting alone or alongside NATO allies. He said that the aircraft is expected to support the readiness and flexibility of Czech forces for years to come.
Da Costa Junior, for his part, noted that the Czech Republic has been involved with the C-390 program since its early stages, contributing to its development alongside a Czech industrial base that Embraer expects to keep growing as the program expands.
A new standard in tactical airlift
With this delivery, the Czech Republic has become the latest country to bring the C-390 Millennium into service, joining a list of operators that includes Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, South Korea, the Netherlands, Austria, Uzbekistan, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, Slovakia, and Lithuania.
Designed and built in the 21st century, the C-390 is positioned as the most modern aircraft in its class of medium military transports. It’s capable of carrying up to 26 tons of payload, more than any other comparable aircraft in its category, while also flying faster, at speeds up to 470 knots, and over longer distances. Additionally, the aircraft can operate from unpaved or temporary runways, giving it flexibility in less developed or damaged airfields.
Its mission profile extends well beyond basic cargo runs. The C-390 can handle troop transport, equipment and personnel airdrops, medical evacuation, search and rescue operations, firefighting, and humanitarian relief missions. With the addition of quick-installation air-to-air refueling equipment, it can also function as either a tanker or a receiver aircraft, adding another layer of versatility for the air forces that operate it.