Brazil’s Embraer Delivers Uzbekistan’s First C-390, a Central Asia Debut
Uzbekistan signed for two Embraer C-390 military transports in late 2024. On 25 September the first was handed over in Brazil, making it the plane's first operator in Central Asia. The post Brazil’s Embraer Delivers Uzbekistan’s First C-390, a Central Asia Debut appeared first on The Rio Times .
Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has delivered its first C-390 military transport to Uzbekistan, marking the first operator in Central Asia for the type. The handover took place at Embraer's plant in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo state on September 25, 2026. Uzbekistan had ordered two C-390s, as reported by Embraer's December 2024 order announcement and Airway, a Brazilian aviation news site.
The first aircraft was originally built for Brazil's air force but was reassigned after Brasília reduced its order from 28 to 19. Upon arrival in Uzbekistan, the aircraft carries the registration UK39010. Major General Akhmad Jamolovich Burkhonov, commander of the Uzbek air force, attended the ceremony along with Olimkhon Bakiyevich Rustamov, director of the Uzbek state institution O’ztextreyd.
Embraer stated that the aircraft's exceptional performance, versatility, and multi-mission capabilities enable efficient execution of various missions. Embraer Defense & Security CEO Bosco da Costa Junior called the plane "the most advanced air mobility solution available today." The contract, finalized in late 2024, includes training, support services, and spare parts.
The delivery is significant as it marks Embraer's entry into a region previously supplied by Soviet and Russian aircraft. Uzbekistan, with a population of about 37 million, has an economy worth roughly US$147 billion in 2025. The C-390 is a twin-engine jet transport capable of carrying up to 26 tonnes of cargo and can perform a range of missions, including transport, humanitarian aid, and search-and-rescue operations.
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