The Brazilian aerospace group Embraer plans long-term cooperation with the Lithuanian industry in the aviation and defense sector. This follows Lithuania's decision in June 2025 to order the military transport aircraft C-390 Millennium A delegation of Embraer experts recently visited various Lithuanian industrial companies to evaluate their capabilities in maintenance, repair, overhaul, engineering, technological development, and supply chain management.
Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, expressed satisfaction with the capabilities of the Lithuanian companies he visited. He explained that Embraer will not only contribute to Lithuania's defense capability with the C-390 aircraft, but will also support the country's industrial and technological development. This form of industrial cooperation, which also includes collaboration with educational and research institutions, is in line with the strategic goals of the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Economy and Innovation.
The partnership is part of Embraer's broader European strategy. The Group has expanded its presence in Europe since the early 2000s through strategic investments. Over 40 percent of the C-390 supply chain is already covered by European partners. Embraer has initiated similar cooperation projects with Portugal, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Sweden in recent years. With the establishment of Embraer Defense Europe Based in Lisbon, the company underlines its commitment to cooperation with the European Union and NATO.
The C-390 Millennium, a versatile military transport aircraft designed for operations in demanding conditions, is increasingly gaining popularity among European armed forces. Lithuania joins a growing group of NATO countries, including Portugal, Slovakia, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Sweden, that are also relying on the aircraft to modernize their air forces. The C-390, in service since 2019, has demonstrated a mission completion rate of 93 percent and a mission completion rate of over 99 percent. The aircraft can perform a wide range of missions, including troop and cargo transport, medical evacuations, and search and rescue, even on unpaved runways.