Following the ratification of a 39-page Memorandum of Understanding in April, the Netherlands and the Netherlands and Austria are moving forward with the planned joint procurement of their C-390M transport aircraft from the Brazilian manufacturer Embraer. The Dutch parliament is even expected to give its final approval to the procurement this Thursday.
In order to meet the manufacturer’s offer deadline of 31 July and the resulting reserved production slots for the desired total of nine twin-engine high-wing aircraft, Deputy Minister of Defense Christophe van der Maat formally requested parliamentary approval for the purchase in a so-called D letter to the House of Representatives (the “Tweede Kammer”, the upper house of parliament) on 30 May. According to reports, this is to take place tomorrow, 13 June, as one of the first acts of the new governing coalition, or at least – as researched by Militär Aktuell – no further delays are expected in the Netherlands or at the manufacturer. https://militaeraktuell.at/survival-experte-heinz-eichinger-im-interview/ The letter submitted to Militär Aktuell summarizes important points: According to it, the “Defensie” (as the ministry is called in the Netherlands) is planning to create the Bncreation of tactical air transport capacities in order to be able to quickly deploy and evacuate personnel worldwide. This presupposes that these capacities can be deployed from unprepared airfields with sufficient load capacity, that seriously injured persons can be transported and that the air transport system has self-protection equipment and can participate in information-driven operations. The annual requirement is therefore 4,000 fleet flight hours.
In addition to the five aircraft (the RNALF calls them the MC-390 due to their versatility), the Dutch are also procuring two simulators, a full-flight simulator and a load-master trainer, according to the letter. With the Austrian Armed Forces is still in final discussions about this, according to Militär Aktuell information. In total, the Dutch intend to purchase nine C-390M aircraft together with Austria; five for the Netherlands and four for Austria. Austria has adhered to the specified configuration of the aircraft and to the Dutch contract conditions. Both countries will also join the C-390M user group.
Important explanations:
- According to the letter, the bid deadline for the main contract with Embraer is the end of July. The House of Representatives is therefore requested not to deal with this D-letter at a later date in order to prevent possible price increases and delays in the delivery schedule.
- The defense purchases the C-390M aircraft from Embraer through a single-source procurement process.
- The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate has made agreements about the involvement of industry in this project. Embraer therefore involves various Dutch companies and knowledge institutions in its supply chains or carries out development projects with them, including Fokker Services Group (FSG), multiSIM BV, TNO and the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR).
- In addition to the contract with Embraer for the purchase and maintenance of the aircraft, the Dutch company intends to conclude a number of smaller contracts. For example, with ELBIT in cooperation with Embraer for the required self-protection systems.
Financial factors
According to the letter, the budget for the “Replacement of tactical airlift capacities” project, which is a burden on the defense budget, amounts to 1.703 billion euros (price level 2024), including VAT, risk retention and utilization for all nine aircraft. However, the unit price per aircraft is not calculated by simply dividing by nine, as the calculations are based on different taxes, timelines and framework conditions, according to the manufacturer Embraer. So much for the Dutch, from whose configuration the four Austrian aircraft “will only differ by the national emblem”, according to our officers. However, there will still be differences in national equipment and fittings, which are still to be finalized. The author was told recently that Austria – at least in the near to medium future – will not be purchasing hose reel containers for active aerial refueling (although the aircraft can do this), as this was not mentioned in the original planning documents, at least not initially. However, these – which will probably come from Cobham or Sargent Fletcher – could be procured at a later date if required. https://militaeraktuell.at/interview-mit-ukraine-experte-brigadier-philipp-eder/ What the domestic side apparently wants, however, is the fire extinguishing equipment from the two side doors and the optional fuel tank in the cabin. Embraer will obtain the details for Militär Aktuell readers. The question is whether these COTS parts have to be contracted with Embraer or the US manufacturer. What has been confirmed from all sides is that the final tri-national signatures of the two new military customers and the manufacturer – according to current planning – are to take place on the first day of the upcoming FIA Airshow in Farnborough, UK.
Simulator collaboration
At the same time Embraer and the German Rheinmetall Group recently announced that they are deepening talks to expand their training and simulation network with capabilities for the C-390M. For the time being, one simulator is located in Brazil and another in Portugal. In view of the expanded customer base in Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria and the Czech Republic, the segment is now to be expanded.
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