Austria has declared plans to replace its aging C-130 Hercules fleet with Embraer's C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft, an important announcement in the aviation business.
The Decision
Austria's Defence Minister, Klaudia Tanner, announced on Wednesday that the country plans to replace its retiring C-130 Hercules fleet with Embraer's C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft. The decision was made after an extensive evaluation of various aircraft options to meet Austria’s military requirements in terms of versatility, range, and cargo capacity.
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The Purchase
Austria is aiming to buy about four aircraft and is negotiating with the Netherlands on a potential joint order. The estimated procurement costs for each aircraft range between €130 and €150 million. The ministry hopes to receive the first C-390 aircraft by 2026 or 2027.
The Aircraft
The Embraer C-390 Millennium is a versatile tactical transport aircraft, proficient in executing a wide spectrum of missions. These encompass humanitarian assistance, medical evacuations, search and rescue operations, troop and cargo transport, and even the possibility of configuring it for tasks like aerial refueling and waterbombing. Fueled by the Pratt and Whitney V2500-E5 engines, the aircraft boasts a cargo capacity of 26 tons.
Bottom Line
This decision marks a significant milestone in Austria's aviation history. The replacement of the aging C-130 Hercules fleet with the state-of-the-art Embraer C-390 Millennium airlifters will enhance the country's military capabilities and operational efficiency. As we continue to monitor this situation, we look forward to seeing these new aircraft in action.