Greek Air Force has officially finalized a government-to-government defense deal with Portugal to acquire three advanced KC-390 Millennium transport aircraft.
The Greek Ministry of National Defence signed the strategic procurement contract on Monday, November 2, 2026. The bilateral military agreement includes a specific option clause to purchase three additional Embraer-manufactured aircraft in the future.
Defense officials expect the initial aircraft deliveries to begin systematically by the start of 2027. This major acquisition significantly modernizes the country’s aging tactical transport fleet amid evolving regional security challenges. Furthermore, it marks the first time Greece will field organic aerial refueling capabilities for its frontline fighter wings.
Transforming cargo transport planes into flying fuel tankers
The newly acquired multi-mission transport aircraft will deploy specialized equipment kits to operate as high-altitude flying tankers. The baseline Greek configurations will initially support tactical aerial refueling for French-made Rafale and Mirage fighter jets.
Subsequently, the air force intends to purchase additional hardware modifications to extend refueling capabilities to its massive F-16 fleet. This dual capability allows the air force to extend the operational range of its fighter jets drastically.
Greece now stands as the seventh European nation to select the high-performance Brazilian aircraft design. Other NATO and European partners include Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Sweden.
Securing NATO interoperability with cost-effective performance
Embraer Defense & Security CEO Bosco Da Costa Junior expressed immense pride regarding the finalization of the Greek contract.
Da Costa stated that the historic selection highlights the deep trust leading NATO member states place in the platform. He noted that this milestone firmly establishes the aircraft as the preferred solution for modern military transport operations.
The aerospace executive emphasized that the platform’s proven reliability and cost-effectiveness make it ideal for expanding national capabilities.
The tactical jet handles cargo transport, medical evacuation, and aerial refueling within a single unified airframe design. Consequently, the defense ministry expects the new fleet to lower long-term maintenance costs while boosting deployment speeds.
