EMBRAER delivered the first C-390 Millennium multi mission transport aircraft to the Uzbekistan Air Force during an official ceremony held at Embraer’s facility in GaviAo Peixoto, Brazil which was attended by Commander of the Air Force Major General Akhmad Jamolovich Burkhonov, and Director of the State institution “O‘ztextreyd” Olimkhon Bakiyevich Rustamov representing the Republic of Uzbekistan.
With this delivery, Uzbekistan becomes the first operator of the C-390 aircraft in Central Asia, marking an important milestone in the country’s efforts to modernise and strengthen its air mobility capabilities.
The aircraft is the first in an undisclosed number of aircraft purchased by the Central Asian nation and will likely be ready for tests soon. The Brazilian firm announced at the Singapore Airshow 2026 that the Republic of Uzbekistan was the previous undisclosed customer for the C-390 which has been gaining momentum across the globe. The contract, signed at the end of 2024 also includes a comprehensive training and support package, as well as the supply of spare parts.
“The delivery of the first C-390 Millennium represents a significant step forward for the modernization of the Uzbekistan Air Force. The aircraft’s exceptional performance, versatility and multi-mission capabilities will enable us to execute a broad range of missions with greater efficiency and readiness. We look forward to introducing this state-of-the-art platform into service and further strengthening our operational capabilities,” said Maj Gen Akhmad Jamolovich Burkhonov.
“We are honoured to deliver the first C-390 to the Uzbekistan Air Force and welcome Uzbekistan to the growing community of C-390 operators worldwide,” said Embraer Defense & Security President & CEO Bosco da Costa Junior. “The selection of the C-390 confirms its status as the most advanced air mobility solution available today. This delivery reinforces our commitment to supporting Uzbekistan with unmatched capability, and operational flexibility for decades to come.”
Already selected by air forces in Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Colombia, the Republic of Uzbekistan, Slovakia, Lithuania and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in May, the C-390 offers unmatched capability, reliability, versatility and performance to serve tactical and strategic needs of air forces worldwide. The C-390 is the most modern military transport aircraft in its class and can carry more payload (26 tons) compared to other medium-sized military transport aircraft, flying faster (470 knots) and farther. It can perform a wide range of missions including cargo and troop transport, equipment and personnel airdrop, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian operations. It can also operate from temporary or unpaved runways. The aircraft configured with quick-installation air-to-air refuelling equipment under the designation KC-390 can operate both as a tanker and as a receiver. The Millennium is fully interoperable within the NATO environment and especially suitable for Agile Combat Employment (ACE) operations.–-shp/adj/dl (Pix:EMBRAER)
