AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE and Embraer today announced the signing of a contract amendment that expands their industrial cooperation on the C-390 Millennium transport aircraft program. The agreement, which is the result of two years of negotiations, follows the June 2022 Memorandum of Understanding and its November 2023 amendment. The new agreement confirms the strengthening of the partnership between Aero and Embraer to ensure long-term security of supply under the C-390 programme. A key element of this cooperation is to increase the Czech share of production, including moving some production directly to Aero and other Czech suppliers. In addition, production of the aircraft will be significantly increased – from four shipsets in 2024 to eight in 2025, to produce up to twelve shipsets per year in subsequent years. This increase reflects the growing demand for the C-390, with South Korea, Austria, and the Netherlands becoming new customers in the last two years, and further acquisitions are expected from the Czech Ministry of Defence. Based on the planned increase in production and Aero’s increased share of the C-390 programme, the total annual value of deliveries will exceed 700 million CZK and grow in the coming years.
Filip Kulštrunk, Executive Vice President of Aero said: “The expansion of our cooperation with Embraer is the result of a joint effort to ensure stable deliveries, greater involvement of Czech companies in the programme and a rapid increase in production capacity to respond to the growing demand for the C-390. I would like to thank the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic and Embraer for their cooperation and support, which was crucial in reaching this agreement. Without their continued support and confidence, this expansion of the partnership would not have been possible.”
Viktor Sotona, Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE said, “This contract is a significant step not only for Aero, but also for the entire Czech Republic. The cooperation with Embraer under the C-390 programme is a strategic project that positively impacts the Czech industry, employment and our position in the global market. 2024 is a breakthrough year for us and the expected growth in production means further opportunities that this cooperation will bring.”
This cooperation represents not only significant economic benefits for Aero and the Czech Republic but also new investments in technology that will enable Aero to offer its unique capabilities to other civil and military aviation customers in Western Europe. The purchase of C-390 aircraft by the Czech Republic is key to maintaining production capacity at Aero. If the acquisition and the related industrial cooperation agreement do not occur, Embraer could shift production to another country in the future, which would have a negative impact on employment and the development of the technological capabilities of the Czech industry. Aero has been involved in the C-390 Millennium programme since its inception in 2011 and is responsible for the manufacture of the aft fuselage, airborne and crew doors, emergency doors, hatches, cargo ramp and leading edge. Thanks to its long-standing partnership with Embraer, Aero is now significantly increasing production, not only expanding its export capacity but also creating new jobs in the Czech Republic. The C-390 programme has become a global success, and in addition to Brazil, the aircraft is now in service in Austria, the Netherlands, Portugal, the Republic of Korea and Hungary, with deployment in the Czech Republic also expected.
AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE a.s. focuses on the development, production, maintenance and modernization of military and civil aircraft and is the largest aircraft manufacturer in the Czech Republic and one of the oldest aircraft manufacturers in the world. In the field of its own aircraft, Aero is a permanent partner of a number of military air forces and has a strong position in the market for military trainer and light combat aircraft. With 11,000 aircraft produced in its 100 years of existence, hundreds of L-39 Albatros aircraft still in service with dozens of military operators and a number of demo teams, and especially with its new L-39NG aircraft, Aero has established itself as a leader in the global jet trainer market. In the civil aviation sector, Aero works with major aircraft manufacturers on a wide range of projects and is a partner in several risk-sharing programmes, where it is responsible not only for the manufacture and assembly of aircraft assemblies, but also for their development.
A global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil, Embraer operates in the Commercial Aviation, Executive Aviation, Defense & Security and Agricultural Aviation segments. The Company designs, develops, manufactures and markets aircraft and systems, and provides after-sales Services & Support to customers. Since its foundation in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 9,000 aircraft. On average, every 10 seconds, an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes off from somewhere in the world, transporting more than 150 million passengers annually. Embraer is a leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 150 seats and the main exporter of high-value-added goods in Brazil. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service centers and parts distribution, among other activities, in the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe.
