Embraer Defense Europe Signs Strategic MoUs with Lithuanian Partners

Embraer has signed several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with key Lithuanian partners, marking a step toward long-term cooperation in aerospace, defense and innovation.

The agreements were signed with eight prominent Lithuanian institutions and companies including:

• Kaunas University of Technology (KTU)
• Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (Vilnius Tech)
• Aktyvus Photonics
• J&C Aero
• Nordic Aircraft Systems
• Brolis Defence
• DAT
• Baltic Institute of Advanced Technology (BPTI)

“These partnerships reflect Embraer’s commitment to fostering innovation and strengthening global industrial and defense capabilities through strategic cooperation. Lithuania’s growing aerospace ecosystem and technological expertise make it an ideal environment for Embraer’s long-term vision in Europe,” said Fabio Caparica, vice president of contracts at Embraer Defense & Security.

The MoUs encompass a wide range of high-value areas, including:

• Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO)
• Engineering and Innovation
• Technological Development
• Supply Chain Management

A ceremony followed the selection in June 2025 of Embraer’s C-390 multi-mission aircraft by Lithuania to enhance its defense capabilities and interoperability.

This selection aligns with European and NATO allies—including Portugal, Slovakia, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic and Sweden—that have also selected this new generation aircraft to modernize their air forces.

The C-390 Millennium entered operation with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, the Portuguese Air Force in 2023 and the Hungarian Air Force in 2024. The current fleet in operation has demonstrated a mission capability rate of 93% and mission completion rates above 99%.

The C-390 can carry more payload (26 tons) compared to other medium-sized military transport aircraft and flies faster (470 knots) and farther, being capable of performing a wide range of missions, such as:

• Transporting and dropping cargo and troops
• Medical evacuation
• Search and rescue
• Firefighting and humanitarian missions
• Operating on temporary or unpaved runways, such as packed earth, soil and gravel

The aircraft configured with air-to-air refueling equipment, with the designation KC-390, has already proven its aerial refueling capacity both as a tanker and as a receiver, in this case by receiving fuel from another KC-390 using pods installed under the wings.