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[Redav]

Portugal signs for sixth KC390 Millennium to reinforce airlift and multi mission operations

Portugal signs for sixth KC390 Millennium to reinforce airlift and multi mission operations

armyrecognition.com

From portuguese Air force to portuguese Air transports

 

[muck]

The German Navy has announced that it will raise coastal artillery batteries equipped with vehicle-mounted anti-ship missiles and surveillance radars. Sweden seems poised to lend a hand in providing training. (Source)

From portuguese Air force to portuguese Air transports

The KC390 seems to be the latest craze at the moment. Can't help but wonder if the aircraft really is as superior to the C-130J as the Dutch and Austrians say it is.

 

[BeNder]

Raytheon faces challenges sourcing critical components, especially for the GEM-T variant of Patriot missiles and their warheads.

https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/06/20/raytheons-production-lines-overheat-as-europe-lines-up-for-1000-patriot-missiles-and-ukraine-pleads-for-speed/

 

[BeNder]

Goodbye to arms limitations - The Netherlands becomes the first country to use AGM-179A missiles on Apache helicopters

The world is getting pretty ugly, and at a frightening speed. Now the United States has (possibly) approved the sale of 296 JAGM missiles to the Netherlands,

unionrayo.com

Valued at about 215 million dollars, this project represents NATO’s collective commitment to reinforce the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s strike capability—just in case.

 

[av405]

The KC390 seems to be the latest craze at the moment. Can't help but wonder if the aircraft really is as superior to the C-130J as the Dutch and Austrians say it is.

From the article: "Since entering Portuguese service in 2023, the KC-390 has demonstrated outstanding mission reliability with a 99% success rate and low operational costs, reinforcing the country’s confidence in its capabilities."

I also keep reading that the number is 93% for the worldwide fleet and that operating costs are low. This seems to be a major selling point. But aren't these numbers a little overstated? All of the operational aircraft are just about brand new, not heavily used (at least not regularly for transcontinental travel, like the USAF), and the total aircraft numbers so far still only total about 13 (including prototypes). The Portuguese only have 2 new examples so far, so I would expect high success rates and low operating costs at this point in their careers.

I'm curious to see how they fare long term in Dutch service since out of all the committed buyers so far, the RNLAF has the most global/expeditionary commitments.

 

[PEMM]

The German Navy has announced that it will raise coastal artillery batteries

I was excited at this point. Turns out, just missile batteries.

Mobile coastal batteries with something like PzH 2000 could also be useful.

 

[Redav]

The German Navy has announced that it will raise coastal artillery batteries equipped with vehicle-mounted anti-ship missiles and surveillance radars. Sweden seems poised to lend a hand in providing training. (Source)

The KC390 seems to be the latest craze at the moment. Can't help but wonder if the aircraft really is as superior to the C-130J as the Dutch and Austrians say it is.

Honestly i don't know
The AF wanted the C130J but the KC was shoved down their throats by the then socialist government to please Embraer
Same with the 12 Super Tucanos that nobody asked for

 

[Mike1976]

From the article: "Since entering Portuguese service in 2023, the KC-390 has demonstrated outstanding mission reliability with a 99% success rate and low operational costs, reinforcing the country’s confidence in its capabilities."

I also keep reading that the number is 93% for the worldwide fleet and that operating costs are low. This seems to be a major selling point. But aren't these numbers a little overstated? All of the operational aircraft are just about brand new, not heavily used (at least not regularly for transcontinental travel, like the USAF), and the total aircraft numbers so far still only total about 13 (including prototypes). The Portuguese only have 2 new examples so far, so I would expect high success rates and low operating costs at this point in their careers.

I'm curious to see how they fare long term in Dutch service since out of all the committed buyers so far, the RNLAF has the most global/expeditionary commitments.

It's faster, with a better range and increased cargo space. The trade-off is that it can't operate off of the level of improvised strips that the C130 can. Given the abundance of drones, loitering munitions and surveillance platforms any transporter landing close to the front line (10-40km) is a sitting duck anyway so shoving out the pallets over a dropzone is the way to go imo rather than a dirt strip.

 

[Mike1976]

From the article: "Since entering Portuguese service in 2023, the KC-390 has demonstrated outstanding mission reliability with a 99% success rate and low operational costs, reinforcing the country’s confidence in its capabilities."

I also keep reading that the number is 93% for the worldwide fleet and that operating costs are low. This seems to be a major selling point. But aren't these numbers a little overstated? All of the operational aircraft are just about brand new, not heavily used (at least not regularly for transcontinental travel, like the USAF), and the total aircraft numbers so far still only total about 13 (including prototypes). The Portuguese only have 2 new examples so far, so I would expect high success rates and low operating costs at this point in their careers.

I'm curious to see how they fare long term in Dutch service since out of all the committed buyers so far, the RNLAF has the most global/expeditionary commitments.

Supposedly the readiness rates are also compared to new production C-130Js. Whether that's an average across different models or per model I don't know.

The Portuguese only have 2 new examples so far, so I would expect high success rates and low operating costs at this point in their careers.

I have an NH90 to sell you. Expect excessive wear on parts, a maintenance nightmare, a complete lack of documentation oh and don't use your navalized helicopter anywhere near salt water and it should be fine

 

[Mike1976]

Belgium to receive first US F-35A fighters jets in Autumn 2025 to modernize air force capabilities

Belgium to receive first US F-35A fighters jets in Autumn 2025 to modernize air force capabilities

armyrecognition.com

 

[av405]

I have an NH90 to sell you. Expect excessive wear on parts, a maintenance nightmare, a complete lack of documentation oh and don't use your navalized helicopter anywhere near salt water and it should be fine

Please, don't. Nobody deserves that misfortune!

 

[muck]

Defence periodical 'hartpunkt' reports that the German armed forces is planning to build a matériel reserve of 140% above establishment to increase availability and mission readiness. For example, an armoured battalion with an authorised strength of 44 tanks could be equipped with 60 tanks instead. However, it is unclear at this point in time if this plan will only apply to future acquisitions, or if current stocks will be expanded as well. (Source)