The Czech Republic has selected the Embraer KC-390 Millennium for its future aerial refuelling and fixed-wing medium-lift transport requirements.
The Czech Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Brazilian manufacturer announced the selection on 17 October, saying that negotiations for two aircraft will now begin.
The latest industrial agreement includes, among other things, a potential increase in local Aero Vodochody’s production share in the KC-390 program, increasing the value of the existing co-operation with Embraer and co-operation in fulfilling specific requirements of the Czech MoD in relation to the country’s procurement of the KC-390.
It joins European neighbors Austria, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Portugal in selecting the KC-390, while Embraer is also eyeing regional opportunities in Sweden as well as with the Heavy Airlift Wing (HAW) of the NATO Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) based in Hungary. Beyond Europe, Brazil is the launch customer for the airlifter, with LOIs signed by Argentina, Chile, and Colombia also.