Greece orders Embraer KC-390s to boost airlift and aerial refuelling capabilities

Greece has signed a contract to acquire three Embraer KC-390 Millennium aircraft, with options for an additional three, in a deal intended to strengthen both its military transport and air-to-air refuelling capabilities.

Announced on 2 November, the purchase will be made through a government-to-government agreement with Portugal. The Hellenic Air Force is scheduled to receive its first aircraft in 2027.

The agreement makes Greece the seventh European nation to select the aircraft, according to Embraer, joining Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic and Sweden.

For Athens, the acquisition brings the prospect of a flexible fleet able to move troops and equipment, evacuate casualties and support aircraft in flight. For Embraer, it adds another European customer to a programme gaining ground across the continent.

What will the KC-390 bring to Greece’s air force?

The KC-390 can carry a maximum payload of 26 tonnes and fly at 470 knots, according to Embraer. Its missions include cargo and troop transport, personnel and equipment airdrops, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting and humanitarian operations.

It can also operate from unpaved runways, allowing it to support missions where conventional airport infrastructure is limited.

However, the tanker capability is a particularly significant element of the Greek announcement. With its removable air-to-air refuelling equipment installed, the KC-390 can supply fuel to compatible aircraft, while also receiving fuel itself.

That could give Greece additional flexibility in supporting longer-duration air operations. Embraer’s announcement does not specify which Hellenic Air Force aircraft will be cleared to receive fuel from the new tankers, or when that capability will become operational.

“We are honoured by Greece’s decision to acquire the KC-390 Millennium,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, president and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. “This choice underscores the trust and confidence that leading NATO members place in our aircraft.”

Why is Greece buying Brazilian aircraft through Portugal?

Portugal’s involvement extends beyond its experience as a KC-390 operator.

The country helped develop and certify the aircraft’s NATO configuration and has established a procurement route through which other European and NATO nations can acquire aircraft.

In 2025, Portugal secured options for up to ten additional KC-390s intended for such government-to-government purchases. The Greek agreement puts that framework into practice.

Portuguese government documents also reveal the wider support package behind the acquisition. An expenditure authorisation published on 22 October totals approximately €590 million ($662m) before VAT, covering aircraft, electronic warfare equipment, training, logistics and technical support.

That figure represents a broader programme package rather than the standalone cost of three aircraft. The expenditure is to be funded through revenue from the agreement with Greece.

Embraer says Greece will also benefit from European cooperation in training, support and logistics. As the continent’s KC-390 customer base expands, those shared arrangements could become an increasingly important part of the aircraft’s appeal.