Embraer Showcases S. Korea, Uzbekistan C-390 Commitments
EMBRAER announced at the Singapore Airshow 2026 a milestone on the delivery of South Korea’s first C-390 Millenium transport aircraft and that Uzbekistan was the previous undisclosed customer for the C-390 which has been skyrocketing in momentum across the globe.
The first C-390 for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has reached the final stage of its assembly process and will now proceed to the production flights ahead of the integration of specific systems to meet ROKAF requirements.
The milestone represents a significant step forward following the ROK’s selection of the C-390 under the Large Transport Aircraft (LTA-II) requirement, marking Embraer’s first Millennium customer in Asia.
Additionally, Embraer revealed that the previously undisclosed customer of the C-390 is the Republic of Uzbekistan. A company statement read, “The Uzbek Air Force will primarily use the C-390 in transport and humanitarian missions, significantly improving its capabilities. The Republic of Uzbekistan becomes the first Central Asia nation to operate the aircraft that is revolutionising the military transport market segment.”
Speaking on the milestones, Embraer Defense & Security President and CEO Bosco da Costa Junior said, “The progress of Republic of Korea’s first C-390 Millennium demonstrates both the efficiency and maturity of our production line and the strength of our partnership with DAPA, ROKAF and our Korean suppliers. This aircraft represents advanced multi-mission capabilities and reliability backed by engineering excellence for ROKAF. Additionally, industrial cooperation with Korea is advancing very well and strengthening our global supply chain as we scale up our C-390 production to support global customers.”
“We officially welcome the Republic of Uzbekistan to the group of C-390 operators as the Uzbekistan Air Force modernises its transport capabilities. “We are honoured by the choice of this leading Central Asia Air Force and will work in close coordination with them to ensure flawless operation of this revolutionary aircraft”.
Already selected by air forces in Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Sweden, the Republic of Uzbekistan, Slovakia and Lithuania, 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.