On July 16, 2026, the Czech Air Force hosted the ceremony of handing over the first of two Embraer C-390 Millennium medium military transport aircraft to the Czech Air Force at the Prague-Kbely airfield. The aircraft with serial number 39000020 (Czech tail number "0520") became the 18th C-390 aircraft built, including prototypes. He made his first flight at Embraer on May 14, 2026 and arrived in the Czech Republic on July 6 at the Prague-Karbala airfield. On July 20, the ceremony of awarding the first C-390 aircraft of the Czech Air Force with its own name "Karel Toman-Mareš" in honor of the commander of the 311th (Czechoslovak) Bomber Squadron of the British Air Force during World War II took place. Delivery of the second ordered C-390 aircraft to the Czech Air Force is scheduled for December 2027. In the Czech Air Force, these aircraft are designated as KCV-390.
The first Embraer C-390 Millennium medium military transport aircraft received by the Czech Air Force (serial number 39000020, Czech tail number "0520"). Prague-Kbely, 07/16/2026 (c) Czech Ministry of Defense
On October 25, 2024, the Czech Ministry of Defense signed a contract with the Brazilian company Embraer for the purchase of two C-390 Millenium military transport aircraft in the amount of CZK 11.3 billion ($480 million) without VAT, including long-term technical support and training packages. Until now, the Czech Air Force has not had medium-sized military transport aircraft, so obtaining the C-390 significantly expands their capabilities.
Together with the C-390 aircraft, the Czech Republic is also acquiring two sets of refueling containers for using these aircraft as refueling vessels, two MAFFS II fire extinguishing modules with a capacity of 12,000 liters of water each, a medical module, a search and rescue module, a VIP transportation module, and two additional internal fuel tanks with a capacity of 4,000 kg each. fuel. The aircraft are equipped with an on-board defense system.
The Czech Republic became the fourth recipient of Embraer C-390 aircraft, after the Brazilian Air Force (which received eight aircraft out of 19 ordered), Portugal (which received three aircraft out of six ordered - the third flight was transferred on July 17, 2026) and Hungary (which received both ordered aircraft). To date, C-390 aircraft have also been ordered by South Korea (a 2023 [...] contract [...] for three aircraft), the Netherlands and Austria (a joint contract signed in July 2024 for the purchase of five aircraft for the Dutch Air Force and four aircraft for the Austrian Air Force), Uzbekistan (a contract signed in December 2024 for two aircraft), Sweden (a contract signed in October 2025 for four aircraft with an option for seven additional aircraft for possible acquisition by Sweden and other European countries) and the UAE (a contract dated May 2026 for 10 aircraft with an option for another 10 aircraft). In addition, Slovakia (three planes), Lithuania (three), Colombia (two) and Greece (six) also announced decisions to purchase C-390 aircraft.
The first Embraer C-390 Millennium medium military transport aircraft received by the Czech Air Force (serial number 39000020, Czech tail number "0520"). Prague-Kbely, 07/16/2026 (c) Czech Ministry of Defense
