Lithuania has decided to postpone the purchase of new military transport aircraft and focus on modernizing its C-27J Spartan fleet to keep it in service until at least 2036.
The decision was made on January 27, 2026 during a meeting of the State Defense Council and means a departure from the plans announced in 2025 regarding the purchase of three aircraft C-390 Millennium produced by Embraer.
According to the Lithuanian authorities, this change is due to pragmatic factors, primarily budgetary pressure and the redefinition of strategic priorities. The government’s immediate emphasis is on strengthening air defense, forming a new army division and expanding military infrastructure – areas considered crucial to deterrence on the eastern flank. NATO.
+ Kalashnikov plans historic expansion of civilian arms production in 2026
+ RUS-PE: Kalashnikov debuts AI-based unmanned strike system in Saudi Arabia
Buying three C-390 was estimated at EUR 700–800 million, which was considered a high amount for the defense budget of a small Baltic state. Due to the postponement of the decision, these funds will be redirected to projects deemed more urgent. In turn, a comprehensive modernization of the C-27J fleet, valued at approximately EUR 150 million, would extend the operational life of the current aircraft by over a decade.
Lithuanian C-27J Spartanin service since 2006–2009, are struggling with rising maintenance costs, partly due to the limited availability of spare parts. Military representatives admit that the modernization will not eliminate the structural problems of the structure, but they estimate that this action will avoid a gap in air transport capabilities until the beginning of the next decade.
If a modernization agreement is signed with Leonardo, a possible return to talks with Embraer regarding the purchase of the C-390 will only take place after 2030, under different financial and strategic conditions. The potential purchase of the C-390 in the future could amount to approximately EUR 750 million – these funds have for now been redirected to the development of infrastructure and the expansion of the integrated air defense system.
The trial was also accompanied by internal controversy. The uncompetitive selection of Embraer’s offer raised doubts and led to the initiation of an investigation by Lithuanian anti-corruption authorities. However, the prosecutor’s office informed that the information collected so far does not indicate any violation of the law.
The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense announced its intention to purchase three C-390 Millennium in June 2025, after analyzing alternatives such as the Airbus C-295MW and Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules. So far, Embraer has delivered 14 C-390 aircraft to Brazil, Portugal and Hungary, with a total of approximately 20,000 flights. hours, with a total order portfolio of 46 machines.
The Lithuanian authorities indicate that the topic of the target replacement of the C-27J fleet will probably return to the agenda after 2030, when the country will have greater financial flexibility and a more stable strategic environment for making long-term decisions.
Source and photos: Defence Industry EU | Embraer | Wikimedia. The content was prepared with the help of AI and verified by the editorial team.
