Greece signs for Millennium tanker-transport aircraft

An artist's impression of the KC/C-390 Millennium in Greek markings. The Hellenic Air Force is to receive three such aircraft from 2027, with three more under option under a deal announced on 2 November 2026. (Embraer)

Greece has signed for three Embraer KC/C-390 Millennium tanker-transport aircraft, with the option for a further three to be exercised at a later date.

Announced by the Brazilian manufacturer on 2 November 2026, the deal is a governmental agreement between Greece and Portugal, which was the first European customer of the type.

“The Hellenic Air Force [HAF] will receive its first KC-390 Millennium in 2027, expanding its airlift and in-flight refuelling capabilities, while strengthening interoperability with NATO and allied forces. Greece will also benefit from European synergies in training, support and logistics,” Embraer said.

News of the procurement came five months after an industrial memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Embraer and Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) in May 2026 suggested that a selection of the Millennium had been made by Greece.

As noted by Janes World Air Forces , three HAF Lockheed Martin C-130B and 10 C-130H Hercules airlifters modernised in the early 2000s are now in need of replacement. With a payload of 26 tons, the KC/C-390 sits between the C-130J (22 tons in the stretched configuration) and the A400M (37 tons, soon being expanded to 40 tons).

For more, please see Embraer-HAI MoU announcement suggests Millennium selection by Greece