Austria's new military planes become firefighters

Austria's newly acquired military aircraft will soon serve dual roles in both defense and firefighting operations. The Austrian Armed Forces have ordered four Embraer C-390 Millennium transport planes, which are set to replace the aging C-130 Hercules fleet. Two of these new aircraft will be equipped with wildfire suppression systems, according to the Ministry of Defense. These systems are expected to become operational around 2030, once the planes arrive in Austria starting in 2028. The C-390 aircraft can carry up to 11,000 liters of fire suppressant per container and distribute this amount over a burning area within four seconds. This capacity far exceeds that of helicopters, though the planes must land to refill their tanks. As such, adequate preparation time and suitable takeoff and landing facilities nearby are essential. According to the ministry, the C-390 can be deployed anywhere in Austria without restrictions, although adjustments would be needed for high-altitude terrain. Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner emphasized the importance of being prepared for current and future scenarios, including disaster response. She noted that due to prolonged dry conditions, there have been more forest fires in Austria this year compared to previous years. As of now, 370 wildfires have been recorded, significantly higher than the 193 reported in 2025. Tanner stated that equipping the new transport planes with wildfire suppression capabilities represents a logical next step in military planning. The first of these transport planes is scheduled to be delivered in May 2028, followed by the second in July of the same year. By 2030, all four aircraft will be stationed at the Fliegerhorst Hörsching airbase in Upper Austria and are expected to remain in service for at least 30 years. Austria has procured these planes jointly with the Netherlands, and they are also used by countries such as Brazil, Portugal, and Hungary. These versatile aircraft can be employed for transporting vehicles, medical evacuations, and landings on unpaved runways. They are capable of carrying up to 80 passengers or 60 paratroopers. The total cost for the four aircraft amounts to approximately one billion euros, including infrastructure, spare parts, mission equipment, logistical services, and training for pilots and technicians. The modular airborne firefighting system (MAFFS) was already included in the procurement for two of the planes and is expected to be delivered in 2028 and 2029. The Austrian Armed Forces plan to train a maximum of 18 military pilots for the C-390. Four of them have already completed their training, which includes Portuguese language instruction at the armed forces' language institute, three weeks of theoretical training, practical orientation, and simulator training in Brazil.