Uzbekistan has taken delivery of its first Embraer C-390 Millennium, marking the tactical transport’s service entry to an operator in central Asia. The handover of the aircraft on September 25 marked what Maj. Gen. Akhmad Jamolovich Burkhonov, commander of the air force of the Republic of Uzbekistan, described as “a significant step forward for the modernization of the Uzbekistan air force.”
Notably, the Uzbek air force has historically relied on Soviet-originating transports, including the Antonov An-26 and An-12 turboprops, and Ilyushin Il-76 quadjet. It also operates the Airbus Defense & Space C295 turboprop twin. However, its selection of the twin-turbofan C-390, according to Embraer Defense & Security CEO Bosco da Costa Junior, “confirms [the C-390’s] status as the most advanced air mobility solution available today.”
The Uzbekistan order for two aircraft was signed in December 2024, but remained undisclosed until February 2026. Revealing the customer identity, Embraer announced that “the Uzbek Air Force will primarily use the C-390 in transport and humanitarian missions, significantly improving its capabilities.” At the time, Embraer also stated that the first unit was to be delivered by year-end—a timeline it has upheld.
Separately, in May, a firm order for 10 C-390s from the UAE—augmented by options for 10 more–marked Embraer’s first Middle Eastern customer for the airplane. In August, Colombia’s selection of two aircraft marked the first Latin American C-390 customer beyond Brazil. Amid rising global demand for the popular platform, Embraer has pledged to boost production to 10 units annually by 2030.
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