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News - Defense & Security
Mansour bin Zayed Witnesses Signing of Contract to Purchase C-390 Millennium Aircraft for UAE Air Force
May 04, 2026
• Major order for 10 firm aircraft plus 10 options
• Contract marks the first selection of the C-390 Millennium in the Middle East
• C-390 to enhance UAE Air Force and Air Defense’s military, humanitarian, and interoperability capabilities
Abu Dhabi, May 04, 2026 — His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, witnessed the signing of a contract to purchase C-390 Millennium aircraft for the UAE Air Force. This took place during a visit made by His Highness to the Tawazun Council for Defense Enablement stand at Make it in the Emirates 2026, which opened today.
The contract was signed by H.E. Dr. Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of Tawazun Council for Defense Enablement, and Mr. Bosco da Costa Jr., President & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, in the presence of Francisco Gomes Neto, President and CEO of Embraer.
Tawazun Council for Defense Enablement, the national entity for enabling and regulating the UAE’s defense and security industrial ecosystem, has awarded a contract to Brazil’s Embraer (NYSE: EMBJ / B3: EMBJ3) for the procurement of 10 firm C-390 Millenium orders and 10 options to strengthen the country’s operational airlift capabilities in collaboration with an Emirati defense company.
Comprehensive Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities, along with after-sales support services for the C-390 Millennium aircraft, will be developed in collaboration with a national company.
Following an extensive analysis and evaluation process—including a comprehensive test campaign in UAE’s operational environment—the UAE Air Force and Air Defense selected the C-390 Millennium as the aircraft best suited to meet its critical mission requirements while optimizing operational efficiency and lifecycle costs.
The C-390 Millennium will enable the UAE Air Force and Air Defense to perform a wide range of missions, including cargo and troop transport, airdrop operations, humanitarian assistance, medical evacuation, operations from unpaved runways, and seamless interoperability with national assets as well as allied and partner forces.
To date, this landmark agreement represents the largest international order from one single country for the C-390 Millennium and marks the aircraft’s first success in the Middle East, underscoring its strong alignment with the demanding requirements of modern air forces operating in complex environments.
H.E. Dr. Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi said: “This contract represents a significant operational enhancement to the UAE’s military airlift capability, strengthening force readiness and operational efficiency, and enabling the Armed Forces to effectively execute a wide range of missions across diverse operational environments.”
“The selection of the C-390 Millennium follows a comprehensive technical and operational evaluation, ensuring high levels of performance and reliability, while supporting effective integration with existing systems and advancing the UAE’s multi-mission airlift capabilities over the long term,” he added.
“We are extremely proud that the United Arab Emirates has selected the C-390 Millennium to enhance its airlift capabilities,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. “This game-changing, mission-proven aircraft will provide the UAE Air Force and Air Defense with the versatility and performance needed to carry out a wide range of missions anytime, anywhere, for decades to come. Embraer is fully committed to delivering the C-390 capability and providing world-class support to UAE, with the objective of building a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership.”
The C-390 Millennium represents the next generation of military airlift with multi-mission capability and interoperability built by design. It redefines the standards of versatility, reliability, and operational efficiency, while consistently demonstrating its advanced military airlift capabilities.
Images:
https://embraer.bynder.com/share/ECD44C55-DB6A-4415-8B277D3977EADF64/
About Tawazun
Tawazun Council for Defense Enablement serves as the national entity for enabling and regulating the UAE’s defense and security industrial ecosystem. The Council establishes the frameworks and conditions required to support defense industrial development, including policy, regulation, infrastructure, and incentive mechanisms that enable sustainable sector growth.
About Embraer
Embraer is a global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil. It manufactures aircraft for Commercial and Executive aviation, Defense & Security, and Agricultural customers. The company also provides after-sales services & support through a worldwide network of wholly owned entities and authorized agents. Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 9,000 aircraft. On average, about every 10 seconds an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes off somewhere in the world, transporting over 150 million passengers a year. Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 150 seats and is the main exporter of high value-added goods in Brazil. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service and parts distribution centers across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
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