The Slovakian Ministry of Defense has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Brazilian Ministry of Defense in Brasília and announced that Bratislava will take formal steps to purchase three Embraer aircraft in January 2025. Embraer C-390M transport aircraft in January 2025. The purchase will also be accompanied by closer industrial cooperation between the two countries.
During his visit to Brazil, Slovakian Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák confirmed that the C-390M was assessed as the optimal solution for Slovakia’s future military transport requirements. Portugal and Hungary also share this opinion (-> First C-390M handed over to Hungary), where aircraft are already in service, as well as the procurement authorities of the Netherlands and Austria (nine aircraft are being procured jointlyThe two partners only recently opted for an offer from Elbit Systems for the self-protection systems. recently opted for an offer from Elbit Systems), the Czech Republic and most recently Sweden.
In addition to Brazil as its home country and South Korea, the 26-tonne dual-purpose vehicle will thus be operated in Austria and three neighboring countries with a total of eleven units. The base for Slovakia will probably be Malacky-Kuchyna, just a few kilometers from Angern an der March.
Central simulator location an issue?
The joint declaration by Slovakia and Brazil explicitly emphasizes the importance of the neighbouring countries. The focus here is on synergies in the areas of training, logistics and the further development and growth of the fleets. This once again raises the question of an Industrial Cooperation Agreement, which is common in many countries – be it for the aircraft themselves or at least in the area of training.
Embraer has Rheinmetall Aviation Systems as a simulator partner, Together they are building a site in the Netherlands. In view of the growing “Central European C-390M user block”, the establishment of a corresponding facility in Austria or one of the neighboring countries for the Central European operators of the type would also be conceivable. Last year, the author spoke with the sales manager of Rheinmetall AS in Dubai about a possible implementation in Hörsching, and AMST, a domestic simulator provider, could also come into play.
It is questionable who would like to drive such industrial cooperation. Currently, the Ministry of Economics and the Ministry of Defense refer to the responsibility of the other department. The BMLV states that it is responsible for procuring military equipment, while the Ministry of Economic Affairs is responsible for industrial agreements. There, in turn, it is emphasized that defence must assess whether industrial cooperations are entered into in the course of individual procurement processes.
Here for more news about Embraer.
