The Hellenic Air Force has placed a firm order for three KC-390 Millennium aircraft from Brazilian manufacturer Embraer, to be delivered from 2027, with options for three more also included in the deal.
Greece will join the growing list of countries operating Embraer’s jet-powered medium airlifter following a finalized deal signed in Athens on Nov. 2, 2026, which comes after funding for the acquisition was approved in June. With existing operator Portugal acting as the government to government sale intermediary, Embraer will supply as many as six of its aircraft to the Hellenic Air Force from next year.
The official press release confirms that the aircraft are intended to bolster Greece’s airlift capabilities as well as provide the country with an organic aerial refueling capability for the very first time. Using wing-mounted hose units, the KC-390 will be able to provide fuel to the Hellenic Air Force’s Rafale and Mirage aircraft. The type’s lack of a boom refueling capability will prevent Greece’s F-16s from utilising this new resource (without the proposed but scarcely seen conformal tank adaptation), though such a modification has been proposed by Embraer and Northrop Grumman.
NEWS | KC-390 Millennium and Gripen E successfully complete refueling certification flights. Read full news: https://t.co/12OZxSuKqI https://t.co/HDWFVXY27J
— Embraer (@embraer) November 14, 2025
Now selected by six NATO member states as well as one further European operator, the KC-390 is proving to be a particular success for Embraer, which has never before offered an airlifter of this type in its product lineup.
Outside of Europe, the Millennium has also been ordered by South Korea, Colombia, the United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan. Negotiations have also been noted at various stages with others including Finland, India, Lithuania, Morocco, Poland, Slovakia, South Africa, and Turkey. Brazil, the launch customer, has ordered 19 examples of the type.
📍Beja Air Base, #Portugal (🇵🇹)
As a prospective customer of the @embraer KC/C-390 Millennium, the head of the Greek (🇬🇷) Ministry of Defense, @NikosDendias, visited Beja Air Base in Portugal to inspect the type in active service.
They would replace the HAF’s C-130B/H Hercules. https://t.co/cmWRDqQCd1
— SA Defensa (@SA_Defensa) May 7, 2026
“We are honored by Greece’s decision to acquire the KC-390 Millennium. This choice underscores the trust and confidence that leading NATO members place in our aircraft.” said Bosco Da Costa Junior, President & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.
“This very important milestone further solidifies the aircraft’s position as a preferred solution for military airlift among NATO allies. The KC-390’s proven performance, reliability, and cost efficiency make it an ideal choice for nations seeking to enhance their operational capabilities,” he added.
The jet-powered transports will replace the struggling Greek C-130 Hercules fleet, the oldest of which are of the early C-130B variant. Embraer’s offering appears to have won out over prior desires to purchase new C-130Js from Lockheed Martin. The KC-390’s cargo capacity of 26 tons outperforms that of the C-130J, even in its stretched C-130J-30 form.
🇬🇷 Hellenic Air Force
C-130B Hercules, 948
356 Tactical Transport Squadron “Hercules”
Tanagra AB, 5/11/2015
https://t.co/Htf5jozpHU
#HAF #C130B #Hercules #356Sqn #HellenicAirForce https://t.co/AM1P8bcp3N
— Stamatis ALS 🇬🇷✈️ (@Stam_A337) January 3, 2024
For taskings not requiring this performance, the Hellenic Air Force also operates eight Leonardo C-27J Spartans, all of which are due to receive an upgrade package to extend their operational careers.
A very interesting and welcome visitor on the 13th of December 2023, is this Alenia C-27J Spartan ‘4117’ of the Hellenic Air Force with recently added special markings of the 354 Tactical Transport Squadron.
The last Hellenic Air Force transport tactical aircraft to visit M… https://t.co/HVYeCNhcxP
— Horizon (@HorizonMalta) December 17, 2023
According to details that surfaced in the previous weeks regarding Portugal’s approval for the government to government sale, the initial deal for the three aircraft and associated mission equipment is worth €590 million. All airframes will reportedly be taken from Portugal’s current holding of 10 options as part of its own order.
Portuguese Air Force Embraer EMB-390 descending to land at HAF Elefsis AB. The aircraft will take part in tomorrow’s parade in Thessaloniki for October 28th. https://t.co/gct85FwWPu
— AegeanHawk (@AegeanHawk) October 27, 2026
Portugal sent one of its KC-390s to Greece on Oct. 27 in order for it to take part in the flypast element of a military parade held in Thessaloniki celebrating the anniversary of Greece’s refusal to surrender to Italian leader Benito Mussolini’s occupation demands in 1940 – known in Greek as the ‘Anniversary of the No’.
