The Netherlands has finally signed up for the Embraer C-390 as its new transport aircraft.

The C-390 is a twin-engine jet that can not only carry more payload, but can also fly faster and further than the Hercules currently in service with the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

The type is already in service with the air forces of Brazil and Portugal, and Hungary has one on trial. Other customers include South Korea and the Czech Republic.

The first three aircraft are expected to be delivered to the Royal Netherlands Air Force by the end of 2027. The Dutch company Fokker Techniek is already supplying the aircraft with special equipment for this purpose. This enables the Ministry of Defence to deploy the aircraft in an integrated manner within the NATO context.

“With the new aircraft, the Ministry of Defense is renewing and increasing its air transport capacity. This is urgently needed, because the end of the life of the old aircraft is approaching. In addition, air transport is used very often due to all the fires in the country,” the Ministry of Defense said in a statement. “This is also the reason for purchasing an additional aircraft.” The current Hercules fleet consists of four aircraft.

C390 (top) and Hercules (bottom).