Aero and the C-390 programme: an example of successful industrial cooperation

The involvement of Aero Vodochody Aerospace a.s. in the production of the Embraer C-390 Millennium transport aircraft is a concrete example of successful industrial cooperation linked to a major government defence contract. Aero manufactures key structural components for all C-390 Millennium aircraft and, thanks to the programme's expansion, has invested in modernizing and increasing its production capacity.

Aero is a long-standing strategic partner of Embraer in the C-390 programme. At its facility in Vodochody, it manufactures the rear fuselage section, the cargo ramp, a complete set of doors, and the wing leading edges. It has also contributed to the development, industrialization, and certification of selected structural components. Aero is the exclusive supplier of these structural components for all mass-produced C-390 Millennium aircraft.

"The C-390 programme is a very good example of what industrial cooperation related to major defence acquisitions should look like. It's not just about manufacturing parts for two aircraft intended for the Czech Army. Aero supplies structural assemblies for the C-390 Millennium aircraft that Embraer manufactures for customers around the world. Every additional commercial success of the programme thus means jobs, exports, and further technological development for Czech industry," said Viktor Sotona, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Aero.

C-390 Millennium for the Czech Army

In April 2025, Aero gradually shipped a complete set of structural assemblies intended for one of the C-390 Millennium aircraft destined for the Czech Army. The manufactured parts were then transported from Vodochody to Embraer's final assembly line in Brazil.

The components are transported by various means depending on their size and nature. Oversized parts, namely, the rear fuselage and the cargo ramp, are transported by road to the port of Hamburg and then shipped by sea to the Brazilian port of Santos. From there, they continue by road to Embraer's assembly line in Gavião Peixoto. The wing leading edges and doors are transported to Weiterstadt, Germany, where they are consolidated, and then flown from Frankfurt to São Paulo. The final leg of the transport to the assembly line is again by road.

Growing production and investments in the future

In 2025, Aero delivered nearly seven complete sets of structural assemblies for the C-390 Millennium aircraft. Production thus increased significantly compared to the four sets manufactured in 2024. In the coming years, production capacity is expected to continue increasing to up to 12 complete sets per year.

"We have reinvested the resources and opportunities associated with the C-390 programme into modernizing and expanding production, adopting new technologies, and building additional capacity. These investments will not be limited to the C-390 programme. They enhance our competitiveness and our ability to bid on other international contracts. In the future, therefore, not only Aero but also the entire Czech supply chain can benefit from them," added Viktor Sotona.

Benefits for the entire Czech industry

Aero's involvement in the C-390 programme demonstrates that industrial cooperation need not be merely a one-time compensation for the purchase of foreign technology. Its benefits can include the long-term integration of Czech companies into the global supply chain, technology transfer, the development of know-how, and the creation of highly skilled jobs.

In its manufacturing operations, Aero collaborates with a number of domestic suppliers of materials, technologies, and specialized services. Growing production therefore also creates opportunities for other small and medium-sized enterprises in the Czech aerospace and engineering industries.

"Major strategic government contracts should also bring tangible, long-term value to the domestic economy. The C-390 programme confirms that Czech companies can play a meaningful role in international programmes, develop their own capabilities, and participate in deliveries to customers around the world," concluded Viktor Sotona.

Long-term strategic partnership

Aero is Embraer's main industrial partner in the Czech Republic and one of its most important partners in Europe. As the exclusive supplier of selected components, Aero participates not only in their serial production but, in some cases, also in their development, industrialization, and certification.

The long-term collaboration with Embraer provides Aero with a stable production outlook for several more years. Given the growing number of orders for the C-390 Millennium aircraft and the planned production rate, Aero has already secured a significant volume of work for its production teams and the associated supply chain.

"The C-390 programme provides us with long-term stability and a clear production outlook for several years ahead. The growing number of orders confirms that this is a promising programme with significant potential for both Aero and Czech suppliers," concludes Viktor Sotona.