Austria Eyes Embraer C-390 Test Aircraft As Airlift Gap-Filler

VIENNA—The Austrian Air Force might use Embraer C-390 Millenium test aircraft as an interim solution to overcome the technical challenges of its aging C-130 Hercules fleet until its own C-390s are ready.

“Support is urgently needed, even if it is not the final C-390 version which we will get in the future,” Maj. Gen. Gerfried Promberger, the Austrian Air Force chief, told Aviation Week in an exclusive interview here. He said there is merit in the gap-filler idea given the current operational situation.

Vienna is eager to replace its three Lockheed Martin C-130s that are now about 50 years old, with only two aircraft left operational. Austria last year agreed to buy four C-390s in a joint procurement with the Netherlands, to gain scale and financial benefits. The Netherlands plans to acquire five aircraft. But Vienna does not expect to receive the first of those transports until 2027.

“We will provide and offer a solution to Austria. I’m ready,” Embraer Defense CEO Bosco da Costa, Jr. said in a June interview.

The decision to pursue a bridging option rests with the defense armaments directorate, not the service, Promberger said. “I hope that they will seek talks” with Embraer.

The final contract between Embraer and the Dutch and Austrian buyers is due to be signed soon, the air chief said. The acquisition will provide an important change in capability, Promberger said, a sentiment echoed by Costa.

Portugal was the first European country to take delivery of the C-390, but Costa said he is also eager to use to relationship with Austria to demonstrate Embraer’s ability to train and prepare new users for a smooth introduction of the jet-powered tactical transport.

Promberger said European air forces operating the C-390 will provide the benefit of establishing a user group, not unlike the relationship many air forces have had with the C-130. The C-390 user group, beyond Austria and the Netherlands, could include Brazil, Portugal, the Czech Republic and Hungary, as well as other future operators, he suggested. Promberger said there could be other ways for European countries to work together, including by establishing a joint maintenance, repair and overhaul network or picking one or two sites for joint simulator training.