Embraer Delivers First C-390 Millennium to Uzbekistan, Lands Key Central Asia Export Deal
Brazil’s Embraer delivered its first C-390 Millennium military jet to the Uzbekistan Air Force, marking the aircraft’s entry into Central Asia.
Embraer delivered its first C-390 Millennium multi-mission transport aircraft to the Uzbekistan Air Force on Friday, finalizing a key contract that makes Uzbekistan the first operator of the Brazilian jet in Central Asia. The official handover took place at Embraer's facility in Gavião Peixoto, Brazil, with Major General Akhmad Jamolovich Burkhonov, the Commander of the Uzbekistan Air Force, in attendance. The delivery is a significant development for Embraer’s defense strategy, extending the C-390’s operational footprint into a region historically dominated by Russian military equipment.
The acquisition is part of a broader push by Tashkent to modernize an air fleet largely composed of Soviet-era transports like the Il-76. By choosing the Brazilian aircraft under a contract signed in late 2024, Uzbekistan signals a strategic pivot away from its traditional supplier base. The C-390 Millennium, which has a 26-tonne payload capacity, is designed for a broad range of operations, including cargo and troop transport, aeromedical evacuation, and search and rescue missions, and is certified to operate from unpaved and austere runways—a crucial capability for the vast territory of Central Asia.
The specific aircraft delivered was originally intended for the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), before being re-assigned to the new foreign customer. This move is a direct consequence of the Brazilian government's decision to scale back its original C-390 order from 28 units. After initial reductions, the FAB ultimately settled on an acquisition of 19 aircraft, a change that freed up production slots for high-demand export clients like Uzbekistan.
The delivery is a major execution milestone for Embraer’s Defense & Security division, validating the aircraft’s appeal to militaries outside of NATO and Latin America. The late 2024 contract is for two aircraft, indicating a second delivery is the next concrete event to watch for, as the Uzbekistan Air Force works to integrate the new platform into its operational structure.
What it touches The news of a successful delivery to a new export customer supported shares of Embraer. On the B3 stock exchange, Embraer’s stock (EMBJ3) closed the day at 101.50 Brazilian Reais, an increase of 2.40% following the announcement.