First Millennium airlifter arrives in Czech Republic
The first of two Embraer KC/C-390 Millennium tanker-transport aircraft for the Czech Republic arrived at its future home operating base at Kbely on 6 July 2026. (Czech Armed Forces)
The first Embraer KC/C-390 Millennium tanker-transport aircraft for the Czech Republic arrived at its future home operating base at Kbely on 6 July 2026.
The first of two airlifters ordered in October 2024 was flown into the 24th Air Transportation Base on the outskirts of Prague, with national markings covered ahead of its official handover later in the month.
Following its official delivery ceremony, the KC/C-390 will be used for missions such as air transport, air assault operations, aerial resupply, medical evacuation, humanitarian aid, air-to-air refuelling, and firefighting.
The two new aircraft will add to the six Airbus C295M/MW and five Let L-410 Turbolet tactical airlifters owned and operated by the Army of the Czech Republic, as well as the NATO Strategic Airlift International Solution (SALIS)- and European Union (EU)/NATO Multinational Multirole Tanker Transport (MRTT) Fleet (MMF)-leased transport programmes.
The Millennium has a hold volume of 170 m³ (including the ramp), and a maximum payload of 23 tonnes (or a concentrated maximum payload of 26 tonnes over the centre of gravity). Company-released performance specifications give the aircraft a maximum cruise speed of 470 kt (870 km/h); a maximum altitude of 36,000 ft; and a range (with 23 tonnes of payload) of 1,380 n miles (2,556 km) or a ferry flight with internal fuel tanks of 4,640 n miles. The range can be extended by in-flight refuelling.
For more, please see Czechs finalise KC/C-390 buy
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