Brazilian transport aircraft Embraer C-390 Millennium continues to remain a best-seller in its class and find new and new buyers. The next customer for this aircraft may be Greece, which is currently resisting France's offer to transfer Mirage 2000-5 aircraft to Ukraine.
The possible purchase of the C-390 Millennium was announced by Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias during a visit to Portugal after a conversation with his Portuguese counterpart. The Greek official did not provide any details regarding the scope of the potential contract or its cost.
Read more: More Than 40 Mirage Aircraft Could Go to Ukraine as France Pushes Deal With Greece
This issue was raised in Portugal for a reason, as this country is one of the key partners and suppliers of components for the Brazilian aircraft. In particular, such supplies include elements of the central fuselage by OGMA, which is 65% owned by Brazilian Embraer.
Portugal is also the first customer and operator of the C-390 outside Brazil. The country has already received 4 transport aircraft in the KC-390 refueling modification and is expecting the delivery of two more such aircraft. The contract for the supply of these aircraft was signed in 2019, while the first aircraft was delivered to Portugal in 2022.
In turn, the fleet of military transport aircraft of Greece consists of 8 C-27J and another 15 C-130, 5 of which are in the old modification of the C-130B. It is the latter that could be replaced by the Embraer C-390 Millennium, as many other countries are doing.
The Greeks plan to spend approximately 28 billion euros by 2035 on the modernization of their armed forces. This amount may also include funds for the purchase of new transport aircraft.
Other aviation upgrades may include the purchase of additional Rafale fighters, but not everything is so simple.
In particular, France is offering a better price for combat aircraft of its production in exchange for the transfer of Mirage 2000-5 from the Greek fleet to Ukraine. However, Greece is still resisting this idea, so there are no concrete actions.
We remind that Greece wants to localize Ukrainian naval drone production needed for war with turkiye, but Ukraine faces dilemma over Ankara partnership.
Read more: Ukraine Receives 203mm M110 Self-Propelled Howitzers, Up to 60 May Have Been Supplied by Greece
