UAE Signs Deal for C-390 Millennium Transport Fleet, Eyes Local MRO and Industrial Integration
UAE signs deal for 10 C-390 Millennium transports with options for 10 more; MRO localisation and partnerships to boost defence industry and airlift readiness.
The United Arab Emirates has signed a landmark contract to acquire the C-390 Millennium tactical transport aircraft, a deal witnessed by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan on May 4, 2026, during a visit to the “Made in UAE” pavilion. The contract, announced by the Council for Defence Empowerment, confirms the purchase of 10 aircraft with options to acquire 10 additional airframes in the future. The C-390 Millennium will become a core element of the UAE Air Force’s multi-mission airlift capability, officials said.
Deal Signed at Made in UAE Pavilion
The signing took place at the pavilion of the Council for Defence Empowerment, with Dr. Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi, Secretary-General of the council, and Bosco da Costa Júnior, CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, formalising the agreement. The transaction was witnessed by Sheikh Mansour, underlining the strategic priority the UAE places on strengthening its air mobility and defence-industrial base. Officials described the ceremony as the largest single international sale of the C-390 to date and the platform’s first confirmed entry into the Middle East.
Contract Scope: Ten Confirmed Aircraft and Purchase Options
Under the confirmed portion of the contract, the UAE will take delivery of 10 C-390 Millennium aircraft, with contractual options to procure a further 10 in later tranches. The arrangement gives Emirati planners flexibility to scale the fleet according to evolving operational requirements and budgetary priorities. Delivery schedules, financing arrangements and basing decisions were not disclosed publicly at the signing.
Localisation, MRO Partnership and Industrial Integration
A central feature of the agreement is a comprehensive plan to develop maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities inside the UAE in partnership with a national defence company. The MRO and after-sales support package will include sustainment services and capacity-building that aim to localise key supply-chain and servicing functions. Officials said this approach is designed to enhance national self-reliance, create skilled jobs and deepen industrial collaboration between Embraer and Emirati defence firms.
Operational Roles Planned for the C-390 Fleet
The UAE Air Force will deploy the C-390 Millennium across a wide range of missions, including strategic airlift, airborne forces insertion, airdrop operations, humanitarian assistance and medical evacuation. The aircraft’s ability to operate from semi-prepared or unpaved runways, and its high payload and sortie rates, were cited as decisive factors in the evaluation process. Military planners also highlighted the platform’s interoperability with allied forces and its capacity to operate effectively in complex, multi-threat environments.
Assessment and Selection Rationale by UAE Authorities
Dr. Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi said the selection of the C-390 was the result of a rigorous technical and operational assessment process that weighed performance, integration potential and lifecycle support. He said the platform met performance criteria across diverse operating conditions and would integrate effectively with existing Emirati systems and doctrine. The council added that the procurement supports long-term readiness and expands the UAE’s ability to respond rapidly to humanitarian and security contingencies.
Manufacturer Perspective and Long-Term Commitment
Bosco da Costa Júnior, chief executive of Embraer Defense & Security, expressed pride in the UAE’s selection of the C-390 Millennium and described the sale as a milestone for the programme’s global footprint. He said Embraer was committed to a long-term partnership that includes training, logistics and industrial cooperation to ensure the fleet’s operational availability. The company emphasized the aircraft’s proven operational performance and its adaptability across civilian and military missions.
The introduction of the C-390 Millennium is expected to accelerate the UAE’s defence-industrial ambitions by linking aircraft acquisition to domestic maintenance and sustainment capability. This dual focus on capability and localisation reflects a broader regional trend toward combining modern equipment purchases with industrial development strategies.
The procurement marks a strategic step for the UAE’s air mobility and defence planning, enhancing lift capacity while advancing the local defence sector through targeted industrial partnerships and MRO development.