Embraer has delivered the second C-390 aircraft to the Hungarian Air Force, completing its two-jet military transport fleet and making Hungary the first operator to receive a full C-390 Millennium order from the Brazilian manufacturer on November 21, 2025. The milestone follows the initial delivery and reflects how quickly Hungary has moved to integrate the versatile military transport platform into its national defense posture. With both aircraft now in service, Budapest is shifting from partial to full operational readiness for its C-390 fleet, strengthening NATO-aligned aerial logistics across Central and Eastern Europe.
Background on the Hungary-Embraer Agreement
Hungary’s path to operating the C-390 Millennium began with an initial procurement deal that covered a complete fleet of two C-390 military transport aircraft from Embraer, a package that was structured from the outset as a full-capability order rather than a trial or incremental buy. By committing to a pair of aircraft in a single agreement, Hungarian defense planners signaled that the C-390 would become a core element of the country’s airlift and support structure, rather than a niche supplement to existing platforms. Reporting on the agreement notes that the contract marked Hungary’s formal entry into operating this modern transport, with the order designed to deliver a balanced fleet size that could sustain continuous operations while remaining affordable for a mid-sized NATO air arm.
The decision to move ahead with a complete two-aircraft fleet positioned Hungary as an early adopter among global operators of the C-390 Millennium, ahead of several larger air forces that are still awaiting full deliveries. According to coverage of how Hungary first received a complete C-390 military transport fleet from Embraer, the structure of the order underscored a strategic commitment to advanced transport capabilities that could support both national missions and alliance obligations. The timeline of the deal aligned with a broader Hungarian military modernization drive that has included new fighters, upgraded ground systems, and enhanced command-and-control, so the C-390 procurement fit into a larger effort to replace aging assets with interoperable, NATO-standard equipment.
First C-390 Delivery to Hungarian Air Force
The first C-390 delivery to the Hungarian Air Force marked the practical start of this modernization, giving crews and planners their initial exposure to the aircraft’s performance in national colors. Reporting on the earlier handover explains that the initial C-390 arrival began the fleet buildup and allowed the air force to launch test flights, training sorties, and integration work with existing logistics and command systems. With the first aircraft on the ramp, Hungarian pilots and loadmasters could start validating procedures for tactical airlift, medical evacuation, and support to domestic emergency operations, all of which are central to the C-390’s mission set.
Operationally, that first unit was crucial for familiarizing personnel with the C-390 Millennium’s advanced features, including its aerial refueling capability and its ability to perform tactical airlift into short or semi-prepared runways. Coverage of how the Hungarian Air Force completed its C-390 Millennium fleet with a second Embraer delivery notes that the initial aircraft allowed Hungary to begin reducing reliance on legacy transports by shifting selected missions to the new platform. For NATO and regional partners, the first delivery signaled that Hungary would soon be able to contribute more flexible lift capacity to joint exercises and operations, even before the second aircraft arrived to provide redundancy and surge potential.
Second Delivery and Fleet Completion
The second C-390 aircraft, delivered by Embraer on November 21, 2025, finalized Hungary’s two-aircraft order and transformed the program from a single-aircraft trial into a fully realized fleet. Reporting on the event highlights that the handover of the second jet completed the original procurement package and confirmed that Embraer had met its obligations to Budapest on schedule. As a result, Hungary became the first operator worldwide to receive its entire C-390 Millennium order, a distinction that reflects both the modest but focused size of the fleet and the priority Embraer assigned to fulfilling the contract.
With the second aircraft in service, the Hungarian Air Force can now conduct redundant operations and full mission profiles, rather than relying on a single C-390 for all tasks. Analysis of the delivery notes that the completion of the two-aircraft fleet enables planners to schedule one aircraft for maintenance or training while the other remains available for operational missions, a basic but vital requirement for sustained readiness. Coverage describing how Embraer delivered a second C-390 aircraft to Hungary, making it the first operator to complete a full fleet also points to logistical changes after the handover, including basing arrangements and maintenance setups that are now being scaled to support both jets. For Hungary’s partners, the completed fleet means a more predictable and resilient contribution to shared airlift tasks across the region.
Strategic Implications for Hungary and Embraer
Hungary’s completed C-390 Millennium fleet significantly strengthens its ability to support NATO operations, particularly in rapid deployment and reinforcement scenarios across Europe. With two modern transports available, Budapest can move troops, vehicles, and humanitarian supplies more quickly to alliance exercises, border security missions, or crisis response operations, reducing dependence on chartered aircraft or allied lift. Reporting on the fleet’s completion emphasizes that the C-390’s combination of payload, range, and tactical flexibility is tailored to the kind of mixed civil-military missions that have become common on NATO’s eastern flank, from disaster relief to rotational deployments.
For Embraer, fulfilling Hungary’s order ahead of other customers is a strategic win that reinforces the C-390’s credibility in the competitive military transport market. Coverage of how Embraer delivered a second C-390, making Hungary the first operator to complete a full fleet order notes that the company can now point to a fully delivered, operational C-390 fleet as a reference case for prospective buyers. That status is likely to support Embraer’s export momentum, since potential customers often look for proof that a platform is not only technically capable but also delivered on time and integrated successfully into an allied air force. For Hungary, the completed fleet opens the door to deeper training partnerships, joint exercises focused on C-390 operations, and potential participation in multinational airlift initiatives that rely on interoperable, modern transport aircraft.
