Embraer and Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Athens on May 22, 2026, to develop in-country maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities for the C-390 Millennium tactical transport aircraft, the Brazilian manufacturer announced.
The agreement was signed by Fabio Caparica, Vice President of Contracts at Embraer Defense & Security, and Alexandros Diakopoulos, Executive Chairman of HAI. It is framed as a step toward giving the Hellenic Air Force “the operational and support autonomy needed to manage its future C-390 aircraft fleet.”
However, there is no such fleet at present. Greece has not ordered the C-390.
A pre-procurement industrial bid
The MoU lands at a sensitive point in Greece’s tactical airlift selection. Reporting from Athens has pointed to an April-May 2026 window for a formal decision to launch procurement procedures, structured as a government-to-government framework with Portugal, an existing C-390 operator. An initial order of three aircraft is under consideration, with an option for three additional units in a second phase. The estimated value is around €550 million.
The C-390 is competing against the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules, which Greece has also evaluated. The Hellenic Air Force currently operates aging C-130H Hercules airframes alongside a smaller fleet of Leonardo C-27J Spartans. C-130H availability has been a persistent issue, with only a handful of airframes serviceable in recent years.
Signing an MRO MoU before a procurement contract is unusual but not unprecedented. Embraer pursued a similar industrial-engagement strategy with Lithuania, where multiple MoUs with local industry followed shortly after Vilnius selected the C-390. In the Greek case, the sequence is reversed: industrial commitments are being laid down before any contract is signed.
HAI positions itself as Embraer’s Greek anchor
HAI, the Greek state-owned aerospace company, has cooperated with Embraer for decades on commercial programs. Diakopoulos said the MoU “reflects our conviction that HAI can and should be the natural choice for world-class aerospace companies seeking a reliable partner in Europe.”
Caparica described HAI as “the ideal partner for us in Greece.” Douglas Lobo, Vice President Customer Support and Aftermarket Sales at Embraer Services and Support, said the partnership “paves the way for future discussions on expanding in-country maintenance expertise.”
For Embraer, the announcement also reinforces a broader European campaign. The C-390 Millennium has been selected by Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Sweden, and Lithuania. Greece would be the next addition to that list, if the procurement clears its final hurdle.
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