Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 27 December 2024, Brazilian company Embraer announced the signing of a contract to supply two medium-sized military transport aircraft, the C-390 Millennium, to a new undisclosed customer.

The contract includes a comprehensive training and support package, as well as the provision of spare parts.

The aircraft will be customized to meet the specific requirements of the customer, which include tactical transport of troops and vehicles, humanitarian aid, emergency management, and medical evacuation.

While the contract’s value has not been disclosed, Embraer added US$240 million to its order backlog, which is likely the deal’s total cost.

According to sources, observers suggest that the customer might be Uzbekistan, with whom negotiations for the purchase of these aircraft took place earlier in 2024, reports vpk.name. Raillynews also indicates that Uzbekistan may be the potential buyer.

The C-390 Millennium is a versatile military transport aircraft known for its high reliability, cost-efficiency, and adaptability. It is designed to perform a wide range of missions, including cargo and personnel transport, medical evacuation, aerial refueling, and other military operations. Thanks to its advanced technology and competitive pricing, the C-390 has become a popular choice among international customers.

To date, eight countries have purchased the C-390 aircraft, including Portugal, Hungary, South Korea, the Netherlands, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Significant deliveries were made to Hungary and Portugal in 2024, while the Netherlands and Austria signed contracts for nine aircraft. Additionally, Sweden and Slovakia are in the pre-contract stage, planning to acquire up to six and three aircraft, respectively.

If the information about Uzbekistan being the new customer is confirmed, it will mark the first instance of C-390 procurement by a Central Asian country. This could also signal Tashkent’s intent to modernize its armed forces and strengthen military-technical cooperation with Brazil, as noted by the media.