- Embraer confirmed that Uzbekistan is the customer behind a previously undisclosed order for the C-390 Millennium, making it the first Central Asian operator of the aircraft.
- The Uzbek Air Force will use the C-390 primarily for transport and humanitarian missions as part of a broader effort to modernize its airlift capabilities.
Embraer confirmed on February 3, 2026, that the Republic of Uzbekistan is the customer behind a previously undisclosed order for the C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft, marking the country’s entry into the program and making it the first Central Asian nation to operate the platform.
According to Embraer, the Uzbek Air Force will employ the C-390 primarily for military transport and humanitarian missions, expanding its ability to move personnel, equipment, and relief supplies across long distances and challenging terrain. The announcement formally identifies Uzbekistan as the latest customer in the growing international fleet of C-390 operators.
As noted by Embraer Defense & Security, the aircraft will play a central role in modernizing Uzbekistan’s airlift capability as part of broader efforts to renew its air force logistics and mobility assets. The company said it will work closely with Uzbek authorities to support the introduction and operation of the aircraft.
“We officially welcome the Republic of Uzbekistan to the group of C-390 operators as the Uzbekistan Air Force modernizes its transport capabilities,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, president and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. “We are honored 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.”
The C-390 Millennium is a twin-engine military transport aircraft designed to cover a wide range of missions, including cargo and troop transport, airdrop of equipment and personnel, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian assistance. Embraer states that the aircraft can carry payloads of up to 26 tons and operate from short, temporary, or unpaved runways, providing flexibility for both military and civil support missions.
In its tanker configuration, designated KC-390, the aircraft can be fitted with air-to-air refueling equipment, allowing it to function as both a refueling aircraft and a receiver. This configuration supports extended-range operations and increases interoperability with partner air forces.
The platform was designed to meet modern operational requirements, including high cruise speed and extended range compared with other aircraft in the same class. Embraer says the C-390 is also suited for rapid deployment concepts, allowing air forces to shift assets quickly between locations as part of distributed operations.
Uzbekistan’s decision adds to a list of countries that have already selected the C-390, including Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Slovakia, Lithuania, and Uzbekistan itself. Embraer has positioned the aircraft as a replacement for aging Soviet-era and Western transport fleets across multiple regions.
For Central Asia, the introduction of the C-390 represents a step toward diversifying military aviation partnerships and updating airlift capabilities with a modern platform that can support both national defense tasks and disaster response operations. Uzbekistan’s geography, which includes deserts, mountains, and remote regions, places a premium on flexible air transport assets.