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C-390
The UAE government says it has ordered 10 Embraer C-390 airlifters with options to buy another 10.
The announcement by the Tawazun Council for Defense Establishment would vault the kingdom into position to be potentially the largest operator of the type. The Brazilian air force now has a total of 19 C-390s delivered or on order.
The deal will also dramatically expand the capacity of the UAE’s fleet of tactical airlifters.
“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 Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi, secretary general of the Tawazun Council.
The order follows Embraer’s announcement at the Dubai Air Show in November that the Brazilian manufacturer had offered to establish a regional completion center for the C-390 in the UAE.
Embraer’s announcement on May 4 does not mention plans for a regional completion center.
But a follow-up announcement by Embraer on May 4 identified Abu Dhabi-based Generation 5 as the maintenance, repair and overhaul provider in the UAE and the Middle East for the C-390.
“Embraer’s selection of Generation 5 Holding as its exclusive partner in the UAE strengthens our joint efforts to accelerate knowledge transfer and expand advanced technical capabilities, ensuring that the C-390 Millennium can be supported and sustained locally to the highest international standards,” Khalifa Murad Alblooshi, managing director of Generation 5, said in a statement released by Embraer.
But Embraer had previously revealed plans to develop a maintenance, repair and overhaul capability along with after-sales support services for the C-390 with different Emirati companies.
Embraer announced deals last November with Abu Dhabi-based Ammroc and Global Aerospace Logistics, with both of the Emirati companies committing to support C-390s ordered by the UAE armed forces.
The UAE orders follow a sharp pivot away from Embraer’s previous regional strategy, which had been focused on winning a large fleet order from Saudi Arabia.
The C-390 remains in competition for a large contract by the Indian military, which is planning to buy 40-80 airlifters. The Lockheed Martin C-130J and Airbus A400M are also competing for India’s Medium Transport Aircraft contract.
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