The aircraft would replace Austria's fleet of Lockheed Martin's Hercules C-130s, Tanner said, adding the order should be placed in the first half of next year. The order from Austria would grow Embraer's order backlog for its defense unit as it aims to reach more countries. Brazil's Air Force has ordered 19 C-390 aircraft, while Portugal has ordered five and Hungary has signed off on two. The Netherlands had previously announced its intention to buy the freighter, also known as KC-390, but has yet to sign a firm order. Embraer is in the "final stages" of talks with countries around the world looking to place orders for the aircraft, the head of its defense and security unit, Bosco da Costa Junior, said. "We have high expectations of more operators for this aircraft being announced in the coming months," he added. The Czech Republic, which attended a meeting of users of the freighter at an industry event in Brazil earlier this year, could be one of the next customers, the executive said.