At the Singapore Airshow on February 3, 2026, Embraer disclosed that the Republic of Uzbekistan was the mystery buyer behind a prior undisclosed order for the C-390 Millennium transport aircraft.
The Uzbek Air Force plans to deploy the C-390 mainly for logistics and humanitarian efforts, which will substantially boost its operational strength. This deal positions Uzbekistan as the inaugural Central Asian country to field this cutting-edge aircraft, which is transforming the medium military transport sector.
Developed in the 21st century, the C-390 Millennium stands out as the most advanced in its category, boasting a higher payload capacity of 26 tons than comparable medium military transports, along with superior speed (470 knots) and range. Its versatility enables diverse roles such as carrying cargo and troops, airdropping supplies and personnel, medical evacuations, search and rescue, aerial firefighting, and disaster relief.
The aircraft can also function on makeshift or dirt runways. When equipped with rapid-setup air-to-air refueling kits as the KC-390 variant, it serves dual purposes as a tanker or receiver. Fully compatible with NATO standards, it’s ideal for Agile Combat Employment scenarios.
The C-390 has been adopted by air forces in Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Slovakia, Lithuania, and now Uzbekistan, delivering exceptional performance, dependability, and adaptability for global tactical and strategic requirements.
This marks Embraer’s first military aircraft sale in Uzbekistan, but it is not the company’s initial entry into Central Asia overall. Kazakhstan’s Air Astana previously operated Embraer E190-E2 commercial jets from 2018 until their phase-out in May 2025. /// nCa, 4 February 2026