If a contract with Leonardo is signed, any renewed negotiations with Embraer on the C-390 Millennium, should the purchase decision be maintained, would begin no earlier than 2030. The delay is intended to free funding for other urgent technical modernisation projects, as the acquisition of three C-390 aircraft could have cost about EUR 750 million, with much of that funding redirected to infrastructure development and expansion of the integrated air defence system.
The non-competitive selection of Embraer’s offer has also caused controversy, prompting an investigation by Lithuania’s anti-corruption authorities, although the prosecutor’s office has stated that the data collected so far does not indicate any breach of the law. Similar delays have occurred elsewhere, as Slovakia announced the selection of the Brazilian aircraft in December 2024 with a contract expected in early 2025, but talks have yet to be concluded, partly due to dissatisfaction with the readiness of the C-27J Spartan.
Lithuania’s Ministry of Defence had announced its intention to buy three C-390 Millennium aircraft during the 55th International Paris Air Show in June 2025, after assessing options including the Airbus C-295MW and the Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules. To date, Embraer has delivered 14 C-390 aircraft to Brazil, Portugal and Hungary, which have accumulated nearly 20,000 flight hours, with total production orders standing at 46 aircraft.
