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Strategic agreement expands the presence of the Brazilian industry in the Middle East, with an unprecedented sale of the C-390 Millennium military freighter and strengthening of the operational capabilities of the United Arab Emirates in logistical, humanitarian, and defense missions, in addition to boosting local industrial partnerships.
By signing a deal considered historic, Embraer secured the sale of up to 20 C-390 Millennium aircraft, including 10 firm orders and 10 purchase options, consolidating the largest international contract ever closed by a single country for the Brazilian military freighter.
Held in Abu Dhabi this Monday (04), the signing involved the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement, responsible for structuring the local defense sector, and formalized a partnership that expands the global reach of the Brazilian manufacturer in the military segment.
Besides representing a significant commercial advance, the deal marks the first selection of the C-390 Millennium in the Middle East, a strategic region for Embraer, especially given the growing demand for versatile aircraft capable of operating in complex and varied operational scenarios.
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In this context, the acquisition aims to strengthen the military air transport capabilities of the United Arab Emirates, covering missions such as troop movement, logistical transport, humanitarian support, aeromedical evacuation, and operations on unpaved runways, often required in critical situations.
Embraer’s Expansion in the Middle East Defense Market
During the ceremony, the contract was formalized by H.E. Dr. Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi and Bosco da Costa Junior, who lead, respectively, the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement and Embraer Defense & Security.
High-ranking authorities were also present, such as Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Francisco Gomes Neto, reinforcing the institutional weight of the agreement and the strategic relevance of the partnership between the Arab country and the Brazilian aerospace industry.
Before the decision, the choice went through a detailed technical process, which included extensive operational evaluations and tests conducted in the specific environment of the United Arab Emirates, ensuring adherence to local requirements and international performance standards.
Based on these criteria, the Air Force and Air Defense opted for the C-390 Millennium considering its suitability to mission requirements, balancing operational efficiency and cost reduction throughout the entire life cycle of the aircraft.
Parallel to the acquisition, the agreement provides for the creation of local maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities, known as MRO, in cooperation with a national company, expanding the participation of the United Arab Emirates industry in the project.
As part of this movement, the post-sale support structure will be developed in the country itself, strengthening the operational autonomy of the future fleet and consolidating an industrial base capable of sustaining operations over the years.
Multimission Capability of the C-390 Millennium in Military and Humanitarian Operations
Designed to operate in different scenarios, the C-390 Millennium combines characteristics of a multimission military transport aircraft, with the capability to integrate with systems used by national, allied, and partner forces in joint operations.
Among its applications, missions such as cargo and troop transport, air launch, humanitarian assistance, aeromedical evacuation, and operation on unprepared runways stand out, essential elements for operations in remote areas or affected by emergencies.
According to Embraer, the model combines versatility, reliability, and operational efficiency, incorporating interoperability as one of the central pillars from its conception to meet the demands of modern air forces.
For the United Arab Emirates, this incorporation expands response capability in military and logistical scenarios, while strengthening integration with international partners in high-complexity joint missions.
Commenting on the agreement, Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi stated that the contract represents “a significant operational enhancement” for the country’s military air transport capability.
Similarly, he highlighted that the selection of the aircraft resulted from a comprehensive evaluation aimed at ensuring high levels of performance, reliability, and integration with existing systems in the national defense structure.
Embraer’s global strategy and consolidation of the C-390 in the international market
In turn, Bosco da Costa Junior declared that the company is “extremely proud” of the choice of the C-390 Millennium, emphasizing the importance of the agreement for the international expansion of the program.
According to the executive, the aircraft will offer the United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defense the capability to execute diverse missions with a high level of performance, in different operational conditions over the coming decades.
In this scenario, Embraer reinforced its commitment to providing high-standard technical support, focusing on building a lasting partnership aligned with the strategic needs of the client country.
At the same time, the contract is part of the broader strategy of the Defense & Security division, which seeks to expand the presence of the C-390 in markets outside Latin America and Europe, with special attention to the Middle East.
Information released by Reuters indicates that the company sees the agreement as a gateway to new negotiations in the region, where it also promotes other solutions aimed at the defense and security sector.
Embraer reinforces its position as a high-tech exporter
Founded in 1969, Embraer operates globally in the segments of commercial aviation, executive aviation, defense, security, and agricultural aviation, in addition to offering services and support to customers in different markets.
Since then, the company has delivered more than 9,000 aircraft, maintaining an industrial and commercial presence in strategic regions of the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe, which reinforces its relevance in the international scenario.
In the commercial segment, it stands out for producing jets with up to 150 seats, consolidating itself as one of the main Brazilian exporters of high value-added products and advanced technology.
With the new contract, the C-390 Millennium expands its international operator base and becomes part of the planning of a Middle Eastern air force, strengthening the presence of the Brazilian aerospace industry in highly demanding markets.
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