UAE orders Millennium airlifter as Embraer breaks into Middle East market

Seen at the Farnborough Airshow 2024, the Millennium airlifter has now secured the UAE as the latest in a growing list of customers. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has ordered the Embraer KC/C-390 Millennium airlifter, marking the first such sale for the Brazilian manufacturer into the Middle East market.

Embraer announced on 4 May 2026 that an order for 10 aircraft for the UAE Air Force and Air Defence (AFAD) has been placed by the UAE's Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement, with the option for a further 10 to follow.

“Following an extensive analysis and evaluation process—including a comprehensive test campaign in UAE's operational environment—the UAE AFAD selected the C-390 Millennium as the aircraft best suited to meet its critical mission requirements while optimizing operational efficiency and lifecycle costs,” Embraer said.

“The C-390 Millennium will enable the UAE AFAD 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 added.

As well as the airframes, the deal includes a comprehensive maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) package and after-sales support services to be developed in collaboration with a currently undisclosed national company.

The announcement did not disclose a contract value nor a delivery timeline for the new aircraft.