Uzbekistan has unveiled its first Embraer C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft, marking a major modernization milestone for the country’s air force and making Uzbekistan the first C-390 operator in Central Asia.
Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer presented the first aircraft for Uzbekistan on September 10, 2026. The aircraft was displayed in Uzbek Air Force markings and represents the country’s move toward a modern, jet-powered tactical airlift capability.
Uzbekistan had previously been an undisclosed C-390 customer. Embraer officially revealed the country as a customer at the Singapore Airshow in February 2026, confirming an order for two C-390 Millennium aircraft.
The Uzbek Air Force is expected to use the aircraft primarily for military transport and humanitarian missions, including the movement of troops and equipment, medical evacuation and other emergency-response operations.
C-390 Millennium: Key Technical Capabilities
The C-390 Millennium is a twin-engine, medium-sized military transport aircraft designed by Embraer for tactical and strategic airlift missions.
According to Embraer, the aircraft can carry up to 26 metric tons of payload and has a maximum cruise speed of approximately 470 knots. The manufacturer highlights its ability to transport troops and cargo, conduct aerial delivery operations, perform medical evacuation, search-and-rescue missions, firefighting and humanitarian operations.
Key specifications
- Maximum payload: 26 metric tons
- Maximum cruise speed: 470 knots
- Configuration: Twin-engine military transport aircraft
- Primary missions: Tactical airlift, troop and cargo transport
- Aerial operations: Personnel and cargo airdrop
- Medical evacuation: Supported
- Search and rescue: Supported
- Firefighting: Supported
- Humanitarian operations: Supported
- Runway capability: Designed to operate from temporary and unpaved runways
- Aerial refueling: KC-390 configuration can be equipped for air-to-air refueling
The aircraft’s combination of payload, speed and multi-mission capability is one of the main reasons it has attracted a growing international customer base.
Growing International Operator Community
Uzbekistan’s entry adds another country to the expanding C-390 operator and customer community.
The aircraft has already been selected or ordered by countries including Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, South Korea, the Czech Republic and Sweden, while additional international customers have also emerged as the program expands.
For Uzbekistan, the acquisition is particularly significant because the country becomes the first C-390 operator in Central Asia, giving its air force access to a modern jet-powered transport platform capable of combining tactical mobility with humanitarian and emergency-response roles.
The arrival of the C-390 is therefore more than a new aircraft acquisition: it represents a significant step in Uzbekistan’s effort to modernize its military airlift fleet and expand its ability to conduct long-distance transport and humanitarian operations.
With its first C-390 now unveiled, Uzbekistan is officially joining the growing international C-390 Millennium community.
