Embraer announced a 20‑aircraft order from the United Arab Emirates, comprising 10 firm orders and 10 options for its C‑390 Millennium military transport aircraft. The deal marks the first sale of the platform in the Middle East and the largest single‑country order for the C‑390 to date.
The contract is valued at approximately USD 1 billion for the firm portion, with the full order potentially worth up to USD 2 billion if all options are exercised. The agreement includes the establishment of local maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities and after‑sales support through a partnership with an Emirati defense company, creating recurring revenue streams beyond aircraft sales.
Embraer’s Defense & Security segment posted a backlog of $4.4 billion in Q1 2026, up 5 % year‑over‑year, and the new UAE order is expected to further strengthen that backlog. In Q1 2025 the segment generated $139 million in revenue, a 72 % increase from the prior year, although no deliveries were reported in that quarter.
Bosco da Costa Junior, head of Embraer Defense & Security, said the UAE’s selection of the C‑390 demonstrates confidence in the platform’s capabilities and Embraer’s commitment to delivering world‑class support for a long‑term partnership. The order also positions Embraer to pursue additional contracts across the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The C‑390 competes with established medium‑transport platforms such as the Lockheed Martin C‑130 Hercules and the Airbus A400M. The UAE currently operates a fleet of C‑130s and Boeing C‑17s; the C‑390’s larger cargo capacity, lower operating costs, and advanced avionics make it an attractive replacement for aging airframes.
Analysts at Itau BBA estimated the firm portion of the UAE contract to be worth around USD 1 billion, and the deal is expected to generate recurring revenue from MRO and support services. The announcement was well received by investors, reflecting confidence in Embraer’s expanding Middle East strategy.
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