On 8 August 2025, Embraer signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with key Lithuanian partners, marking a significant step toward long-term cooperation in aerospace, defence, and innovation.
The agreements were signed with eight prominent Lithuanian institutions and companies, including Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (Vilnius Tech), Aktyvus Photonics, J&C Aero, Nordic Aircraft Systems, Brolis Defence, DAT, and Baltic Institute of Advanced Technology (BPTI).
The MoUs encompass a wide range of high-value areas, including:
- Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO)
- Engineering and Innovation
- Technological Development
- Supply Chain Management
The ceremony follows the selection in June 2025 of Embraer’s C-390 multi-mission aircraft by Lithuania to enhance its defence capabilities and interoperability. This selection aligns with that of European and NATO allies—including Portugal, Slovakia, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Sweden—who have also chosen this new generation of aircraft to modernise their air forces.
Since entering operation with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, the Portuguese Air Force in 2023, and, most recently, with the Hungarian Air Force in 2024, the C-390 Millennium has proven its capability, reliability, and performance. The current fleet in operation has demonstrated a mission capability rate of 93% and mission completion rates above 99%.
Embraer’s C-390 Multi-Mission Aircraft
The C-390 can carry more payload (26 tonnes) compared to other medium-sized military transport aircraft and flies faster (470 knots) and farther, being capable of performing a wide range of missions, such as transporting and dropping cargo and troops, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting and humanitarian missions, operating on temporary or unpaved runways, such as packed earth, soil and gravel. The aircraft configured with air-to-air refuelling equipment, with the designation KC-390, has already proven its aerial refuelling capacity both as a tanker and as a receiver, in this case by receiving fuel from another KC-390 using pods installed under the wings.
