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Brazil Embraer Defense & Security
Embraer C-390 Millennium
A twin-jet medium military transport developed by Embraer for tactical and strategic airlift, air-to-air refueling and medical evacuation, offering jet speed and a 26-tonne payload. Adopted by Brazil and several NATO and European air forces, it is marketed as a faster alternative to turboprop airlifters.
In service since 2019 · 6 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-05
988
km/h
5,020
km range
11,000
m ceiling
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
National export licensing
Subject to Brazil export-control approval; verify eligibility with the manufacturer.
Channel: Direct commercial / G2G
Fielded & proven
Established · 6 operators
In service since 2019. Status: active.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from.
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
- Max speed
Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance.
- 988 km/h Top 10% of transport aircraft
- Cruise speed
Sustained economical speed. Determines transit time to station.
- 870 km/h Top 6% of transport aircraft
- Range
Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence.
- 5,020 km Stronger than 38% of transport aircraft
- Service ceiling
Maximum operating altitude. Higher gives energy advantage and sensor horizon.
- 11,000 m Stronger than 31% of transport aircraft
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
- Length
Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.
- 35.2 m
- Wingspan
Wingtip-to-wingtip span.
- 35.05 m
- Empty weight
Weight without fuel, ammunition or crew.
- 35,000 kg
- Combat weight
Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor.
- 86,999 kg
- Crew
Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity.
- 3
- Cargo payload
Maximum cargo the transport can carry. Higher means more lift per sortie.
- 26,000 kg Stronger than 31% of transport aircraft
Propulsion
Engine, power and fuel.
- Engine
Powerplant model and type.
- 2x International Aero Engines V2500-E5 turbofans
- Engines
Number of engines. Twin-engine gives redundancy at higher cost.
- 2
- Propulsion type
Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet…
- Turbofan
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
- Operator countries
Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.
- 6 Stronger than 66% of transport aircraft
Specifications compiled from public Embraer Defense & Security and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-05.
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What is the top speed of the Embraer Defense & Security Embraer C-390 Millennium? +
The Embraer Defense & Security Embraer C-390 Millennium has a maximum speed of 988 km/h.
What is the range of the Embraer Defense & Security Embraer C-390 Millennium? +
The Embraer Defense & Security Embraer C-390 Millennium has a maximum range of 5,020 km.
How much does the Embraer Defense & Security Embraer C-390 Millennium weigh? +
The Embraer Defense & Security Embraer C-390 Millennium has a combat weight of 86,999 kg.
How many crew does the Embraer Defense & Security Embraer C-390 Millennium require? +
The Embraer Defense & Security Embraer C-390 Millennium requires a crew of 3.
What engine does the Embraer Defense & Security Embraer C-390 Millennium use? +
The Embraer Defense & Security Embraer C-390 Millennium is powered by the 2x International Aero Engines V2500-E5 turbofans.
What is the Embraer Defense & Security Embraer C-390 Millennium used for? +
The Embraer Defense & Security Embraer C-390 Millennium is a transport & tanker typically used for transport, aerial refueling.
How many countries operate the Embraer Defense & Security Embraer C-390 Millennium? +
The Embraer Defense & Security Embraer C-390 Millennium is operated by 6 countries.
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