UAE signs contract to purchase C-390 Millennium aircraft for air force

His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, has witnessed the signing of a contract to purchase C-390 Millennium aircraft for the UAE air force.

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.

The signing came during a visit made by His Highness to the stand of Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement at Make it in the Emirates 2026 which opened on Monday. 

The contract was signed by Dr. Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi, Secretary-General of Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement, and Bosco da Costa Jr., President & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.

The agreement includes the purchase of 10 aircraft, with an option for an additional 10 later in the future.

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.

"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,” said Dr. Nasser Humaid Al Nauimi.

"Embraer is fully committed to delivering the C-390 capability and providing world-class support to the UAE, with the objective of building a long term, mutually beneficial partnership,” added Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.

مجلس التوازن للتمكين الدفاعي يوقع عقداً لشراء طائرات C-390 ميلينيوم من شركة إمبراير البرازيلية، مع خطط لتطوير قدرات شاملة للصيانة والإصلاح والعَمرة بالتعاون مع إحدى الشركات الدفاعية الوطنية ما يدعم جهود توطين الصناعات الدفاعية وتعزيز التكامل الصناعي داخل الدولة. pic.twitter.com/DL9DkHABg5

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