Lithuania’s State Defence Council has postponed its plan to adopt Embraer C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft until after 2030, as the country redirects funding to other priority capabilities.
The decision comes after the government evaluated financial resources to benefit more critical areas, including air defense, military infrastructure, industrial collaborations, and long-term support for Ukraine.
Vilnius said that the step will also boost its strategy to create a national military division and host allied forces, including a German brigade that is being relocated to the country until 2027 under a security pact to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank.
Life Extension for Older Systems
The Baltic state announced the acquisition of the Brazilian-made C-390 aircraft in June 2025 to replace the aging Alenia C-27J Spartan fleet.
The C-390s will supposedly be procured in collaboration with the Netherlands, which on its own has ordered five platforms that are now in various stages of development.
Due to the recent directive, Lithuania’s old C-27J planes will temporarily remain in service and receive an overhaul until 2036.
Modernization works for the Spartans are valued at approximately 150 million euros ($179.7 million), a big cut from the C-390 purchase that was estimated at around 700 million to 800 million euros ($838.9 million to $958.6 million).
“The decision to postpone the acquisition … allows us to choose more technologically advanced solutions in the future that best meet Lithuania’s needs at that time,” Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas stated.
“We are sincerely grateful to the Dutch representatives for their professionalism and trust. Lithuania remains open to the possibility of joining similar multilateral initiatives in the future.”
