Greece picks Embraer's C-390 aircraft: Why it matters for India's Rs 1 lakh crore IAF deal

Greece has become the latest European country to pick Embraer's KC-390 Millennium to modernise its air transport fleet. The Hellenic Ministry of National Defense has signed a contract for three aircraft, with options for three more, through a government-to-government agreement between Greece and Portugal. The first aircraft is due in 2027 and will boost the Hellenic Air Force's airlift and air-to-air refuelling capabilities, while improving interoperability with NATO and allied forces. Greece is the seventh European nation to select the aircraft, after Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic and Sweden. Outside Europe, it is operated by Brazil, South Korea, Uzbekistan, the UAE and Colombia. The aircraft carries 26 tonnes, cruises at up to 470 knots and can operate from temporary or unpaved runways. It handles cargo and troop transport, airdrops, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting and humanitarian missions, and with quick-installation refuelling equipment it can work as both a tanker and a receiver.

Why it matters for India

The Greek order lands as India is shopping for the same class of aircraft. In August, the defence ministry floated a request for proposal worth close to Rs 1 lakh crore for 60 medium transport aircraft for the IAF. The programme is meant to replace the Soviet-era An-32 fleet, which has served for nearly four decades. More than 100 are still flying, each carrying around seven tonnes, from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to Eastern Ladakh. The RFP came two months after an An-32 crash at Jorhat killed five crew members. The new aircraft are also expected to take over some roles from the ageing Il-76, which carries about 45 tonnes. Three aircraft lead the field. Airbus' A400M Atlas carries 37 tonnes, the C-390 carries 26 tonnes, and Lockheed Martin's C-130J Super Hercules carries more than 20 tonnes. Only the C-130J is already in IAF service, and it has operated from high-altitude airstrips in Ladakh. The C-390 offers modern avionics, fly-by-wire controls and quick reconfiguration between missions. The A400M combines tactical and strategic airlift and can move heavy equipment, including armoured vehicles, from relatively short, unprepared runways. The stakes go beyond the IAF. Moving troops and equipment quickly along the borders with China in Eastern Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh has been a priority since the Galwan Valley clash, and a modern transport fleet would also strengthen the Army and the Navy. The aircraft would add to India's humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capability as well. The Greek contract shows the C-390 gaining ground among NATO and EU air forces, but India's choice will likely come down to payload, performance in its own terrain and how quickly the aircraft can enter service.