The Netherlands has selected Embraer’s C-390 airlifter as the replacement for its long-serving Lockheed C-130 Hercules fleet.
The country becomes the third European nation to opt for the Brazilian-built airlifter after Hungary and Portugal. Dutch defense officials say that the C-390 emerged as a better option compared to the new-build models of the Hercules, scoring higher on operational and technical requirements as well as requiring less maintenance.
Officials say the C-390 can meet the Dutch requirement with a fleet of just four aircraft, whereas the C-130J would have required five. Nevertheless, the Netherlands has decided to acquire five C-390s due to the need for more flying hours to be available.
The aircraft will replace its four C-130Hs currently in operation. First delivery is scheduled for 2026.
The Royal Netherlands Air Force had planned to retain its C-130s until 2031, but their age has led to reliability issues reducing availability, prompting a decision to begin looking at replacement options in 2020.
The decision to purchase new airlifters was confirmed as part of an uptick in defense spending announced by the Dutch government at the beginning of June.
Events such as the Afghan airlift last year and the new security situation in Eastern Europe have “underlined the importance of guaranteed availability of transport capacity for the armed forces,” says Netherlands State Secretary for Defense Christophe van der Maat.
He says the new aircraft will contribute to filling a “European deficit” in airlift capacity and improve the speed of response to international events.
The Dutch C-390s will come under the operational command of the European Air Transport Command, just as its existing airlift assets do now.
In an emailed response to the Dutch decision, Embraer says it is “honored” by the Netherlands’ selection of the aircraft.
“Acknowledging that there is still great work to be done in the coming months, we are committed to the success of this new phase of cooperation with the Netherlands Ministry of Defense,” the company says, adding, “In this process, Embraer is dedicated to further deepening collaboration with local industry and knowledge centers.”
Embraer is currently preparing the first of five aircraft for delivery to the Portuguese Air Force. Portugal signed its order in 2019 and will get its first C-390 in 2023.
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