Greece Moves To Acquire Embraer C-390 Aircraft As Military Modernization Accelerates

Executive Summary:

Greece is moving ahead with plans to acquire three Embraer C-390 military transport aircraft as part of a broader €1 billion to €1.2 billion defense procurement package approved by a parliamentary committee on June 11, 2026. The package also includes drones from the United States and Israel, British-built mini-submarines for special operations forces, and upgrades for Greek Navy frigates, reinforcing Athens’ long-term military modernization strategy.

Greece Advances Embraer C-390 Acquisition Plan

Greece is set to acquire three Embraer C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft following approval by a parliamentary committee reviewing a major defense procurement package valued between €1 billion and €1.2 billion, according to Reuters reporting citing sources familiar with the matter. The acquisition forms part of Athens’ broader effort to modernize its armed forces and replace aging airlift capabilities.

The procurement package still requires final approval from Greece’s Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA), the country’s highest defense decision-making body. However, officials familiar with the process expect approval to be granted.

Approximately half of the package’s value will reportedly be allocated to the purchase of the C-390 aircraft and associated support services.

Defense Package Includes Drones and Special Operations Capabilities

Beyond the transport aircraft acquisition, Greece plans to procure several additional systems designed to strengthen operational flexibility across multiple domains.

The package includes:

The combination of airlift, unmanned systems, naval modernization, and special operations capabilities reflects a multi-domain modernization approach rather than a single-service procurement effort.

Why Greece Is Replacing Its Transport Fleet

The Hellenic Air Force currently relies on aging Lockheed C-130 aircraft and Alenia C-27J transport aircraft, many of which have faced availability and maintenance challenges in recent years. Greece has been evaluating options to restore and expand its tactical airlift capacity amid growing operational requirements.

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias publicly confirmed Athens’ interest in the C-390 during a visit to Portugal earlier this year. Portugal was the first NATO member to adopt the aircraft and has become a key European operator of the platform.

The C-390 offers several advantages for medium-sized air forces seeking to balance capability, operating costs, and logistical flexibility.

Key C-390 Capabilities

• Tactical and strategic airlift operations
• Aerial refueling capability (KC-390 variant)
• Medical evacuation missions
• Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
• Cargo and troop transport
• Operations from semi-prepared runways

The aircraft has gained increasing international traction across NATO and partner nations, positioning itself as a modern alternative in the medium transport aircraft segment.

Strategic Importance for Greece

The acquisition carries significance beyond simple fleet replacement.

Greece occupies a critical position on NATO’s southeastern flank, with responsibilities spanning the Aegean Sea, Eastern Mediterranean, and wider regional security architecture. Rapid transport capabilities are essential for moving personnel, equipment, and supplies among mainland bases and island territories.

Enhanced air mobility also supports Greece’s participation in NATO operations, humanitarian missions, and regional crisis response efforts.

Athens has consistently emphasized the need to maintain military readiness amid longstanding tensions with neighboring Turkey. While the procurement is part of a broader modernization roadmap rather than a direct response to a single development, improved airlift capacity strengthens Greece’s ability to sustain operations across dispersed geographic areas.

Industrial and Defense Cooperation Opportunities

The proposed purchase could also deepen defense-industrial cooperation between Greece and Embraer.

In May 2026, Embraer and the Hellenic Aerospace Industry (EAB) signed a memorandum of understanding intended to support future C-390 operations and maintenance activities in Greece. The agreement seeks to develop local support capabilities and strengthen domestic aerospace expertise.

Such arrangements are increasingly important as European nations seek greater operational self-sufficiency and improved sustainment capacity for advanced military platforms.

If finalized, Greece would join a growing list of international C-390 operators and customers, further expanding the aircraft’s presence within NATO and allied air forces.

Part of a €28 Billion Long-Term Military Modernization Program

The C-390 procurement is one element of Greece’s broader defense transformation effort.

Athens plans to spend approximately €28 billion on military modernization through 2036, targeting improvements across air, naval, land, cyber, and unmanned capabilities. The initiative follows years of constrained defense spending during Greece’s debt crisis and reflects renewed investment in force readiness and modernization.

The latest package demonstrates how Greece is pursuing a balanced force structure that combines traditional platforms such as transport aircraft and frigates with emerging capabilities including drones and specialized maritime systems.

For NATO planners, the procurement strengthens a key southeastern ally’s ability to support regional operations and sustain military readiness in a strategically important theater.