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2020-12-13

Hungary Buys Two Multi-Mission KC-390

The Hungarian Government and Embraer signed a contract recently for the acquisition of two new generation multi-mission transport aircraft Embraer C-390 Millennium, in its air-to-air refuelling (AAR) configuration, designated KC-390.

The deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2023. Training for pilots and technicians and other services and support are also included in the contract with a view to strengthen the Hungarian Defence Forces capabilities specifically on the tactical airlift, AAR and medical evacuation roles as well as in other missions of public interest.

Gáspár Maróth, government commissioner responsible for defence development, elaborated: “Following the procurement of personnel air transport capabilities in 2018, we will see the arrival of KC-390 aircraft to Hungary in 2023-24, able to deliver large military loads in an operational environment, as well as providing air-to-air refuelling services. We are acquiring a multi-role transport fleet for the Hungarian Defence Forces to fulfill the widest possible range of tasks within the national framework, in a sovereign way.”

Jackson Schneider, President and CEO of Embraer Defence & Security, added: “We are honoured to have been selected by the Hungarian Government and the Hungarian Defence Forces to provide the most advanced multi-mission transport aircraft available in the market.

“Hungary is the second European nation and NATO operator to select the C-390 Millennium, a highly capable aircraft that offers excellent productivity through unrivalled combination of speed, payload and rapid reconfigurability for multi-mission operations.”

Humanitarian Missions

Certain special features have been incorporated. For example, the KC-390 for the Hungarian Defence Forces will be the first in the world with the Intensive Care Unit in its configuration, an essential feature to perform humanitarian missions.

The aircraft fully meets the requirements of the Hungarian Defence Forces, being able to perform different types of military and civilian missions including Humanitarian Support, Medical Evacuation, Search and Rescue, Cargo and Troops Transport, Precision Cargo Drop, Paratroopers Operations and AAR.

These KC-390 are totally NATO compatible, not only in terms of its hardware but also in its avionics and communications configuration.

The KC-390 probe and drogue refuelling system means the aircraft can refuel the Hungarian JAS 39 Gripen as well as other aircraft that use the same technology.

The C-390 Millennium is fully operational and, since receiving its first aircraft in 2019, the Brazilian Air Force has deployed the airlift on several critical missions in Brazil and abroad with greater availability.

The Portuguese Government too signed a contract for the acquisition of five C-390 Millennium in 2019 that are currently in the production line and are expected to be in service in 2023.

The C-390 is a tactical transport jet aircraft designed to set new standards in its category. Some of the strong aspects of the aircraft are increased mobility, rugged design, higher flexibility, state-of-the-art proven technology and easier maintenance.

The C-390’s piloting is facilitated by an integrated avionic system and a fly-by-wire flight control, and it can be equipped with a self-defence system and ballistic protection which increases its capacity to operate in hostile environments.

It has a modern cargo handling system which can transport large-sized cargo: pallets, vehicles, helicopters, troops, paratroopers, medevac stretcher, mixed configurations.

Flying faster and delivering more cargo, both the C-390 Millennium and the KC-390 variant are the right sized platform for major deployment scenarios.

Minimised interventions and on-condition maintenance combined with highly trustworthy systems and components support the reduced downtime and costs, contributing to exceptional availability levels and low life cycle costs.

A global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil, Embraer has an impeccable track record with businesses in Commercial and Executive aviation, Defence & Security and Agricultural Aviation.

The company designs, develops, manufactures and markets aircraft and systems, providing services & support to customers’ after-sales.

Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 8,000 aircraft. On average, about every 10 seconds an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes off somewhere in the world, transporting over 145 million passengers a year.

Embraer is also the leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 150 seats and the main exporter of high value-added goods in Brazil. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service and parts distribution centres, among other activities, across the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe.

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