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:
System Quantity Origin Mission Embraer C-390 Millennium 3 Brazil Tactical and strategic airlift Heron UAV System 1 system Israel Intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance V-BAT UAVs 10 United States Tactical reconnaissance and maritime surveillance VICTA Mini-Submarines 10 United Kingdom Special operations insertion MEKO-200 Frigate Upgrades 4 vessels Germany Naval modernization 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.
Executive Summary:
Greece has confirmed interest in acquiring Embraer C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft as part of a broader modernization effort for the Hellenic Air Force. The move reflects Athens’ push to improve tactical airlift, NATO interoperability, and regional operational readiness amid evolving European security challenges.
Greece Evaluates C-390 Military Aircraft For Airlift Modernization
Greece is considering the acquisition of Embraer C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft, according to statements made by Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias during a visit to Brazil this week. The potential procurement marks another step in Athens’ long-term effort to modernize the Hellenic Armed Forces and strengthen logistical support capabilities across the Eastern Mediterranean.
Greece expressed formal interest in the Brazilian-made transport aircraft during talks with Brazilian officials and representatives from Embraer. The discussions come as several NATO members continue replacing aging tactical transport fleets with newer multi-role platforms.
The Embraer C-390 Millennium is designed to perform a wide range of missions, including troop transport, cargo delivery, aerial refueling, medical evacuation, firefighting, and humanitarian relief operations. The aircraft has increasingly gained traction in Europe, with countries such as Portugal, Hungary, Austria, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic selecting the platform in recent years.
Why Greece Is Looking At The C-390 Millennium
The Greek Air Force currently operates older transport aircraft, including variants of the C-130 Hercules fleet, many of which have faced readiness and maintenance challenges over the past decade. Acquiring the C-390 would provide Greece with a newer generation airlift capability featuring higher speed, improved cargo capacity, and modern avionics.
The aircraft can carry up to 26 tons of payload and operate in austere environments, making it suitable for both military and disaster response missions. Its compatibility with NATO operational standards is another key factor driving interest among European operators.
For Greece, the move aligns with a wider defense modernization strategy that includes investments in fighter aircraft, naval assets, air defense systems, and unmanned technologies. Athens has accelerated procurement efforts in response to growing regional security concerns and the evolving strategic environment in southeastern Europe.
The potential C-390 acquisition also reflects Europe’s increasing diversification of defense procurement sources beyond traditional American suppliers. While the Lockheed Martin C-130J remains a major competitor in the tactical transport segment, the C-390 has positioned itself as a cost-effective alternative with strong performance metrics.
Growing European Demand For Tactical Airlift Platforms
The European defense market has seen renewed demand for tactical airlift aircraft since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, with NATO members reassessing logistics readiness, rapid deployment capability, and supply chain resilience.
Military planners increasingly view transport aircraft as essential assets for reinforcing alliance mobility across Europe’s eastern flank. Faster deployment of personnel, ammunition, vehicles, and humanitarian assistance has become a central requirement for NATO operations.
The C-390 Millennium has benefited from this trend. Embraer has marketed the aircraft as a modern solution capable of combining strategic reach with tactical flexibility. The jet-powered platform offers faster cruise speeds than many turboprop competitors while maintaining short runway performance.
Greece’s interest could also strengthen defense ties between Athens and Brasília, expanding military-industrial cooperation beyond Europe’s traditional defense networks. Although no contract value or delivery timeline has been announced, the discussions indicate that the aircraft is under active consideration by Greek defense officials.
Strategic Implications For NATO Operations
A future Greek acquisition of the C-390 could improve interoperability with other NATO operators already integrating the platform into service. Shared logistics, training, and operational procedures are becoming increasingly important as alliance members seek greater efficiency in multinational missions.
The Eastern Mediterranean remains a strategically sensitive region, with NATO focusing on rapid response capabilities, maritime security, and regional crisis management. Enhanced airlift capacity would allow Greece to support alliance deployments more effectively while also improving domestic disaster response operations.
Athens has emerged as one of Europe’s more active defense spenders in recent years. The country has pursued major procurement programs involving advanced fighter aircraft, frigates, and modernization initiatives aimed at maintaining operational readiness across all branches of the armed forces.
While the Greek government has not formally announced a procurement decision, the public expression of interest suggests the C-390 Millennium is being seriously evaluated as part of the country’s future air mobility framework.