Nordic wooer lands major airlift contract

Brazilian aerospace company Embraer has received an order for 10 C-390 Millennium aircraft from the United Arab Emirates Air Force.

The contract includes options for an additional 10 aircraft, the company said in a press release.

Embraer is also targeting air forces in Denmark and Finland, following Sweden’s order for four aircraft, as it seeks to establish a Nordic hub for the platform, including maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities.

The company has previously sold the airlifter to countries including the Netherlands and Portugal.

UAE-based defence and technology company Generation 5 Holding has signed an exclusive strategic partnership agreement with Embraer.

Under the agreement, the companies aim to develop MRO capabilities and after-sales support for the aircraft in the UAE and across the Middle East, Embraer said.

The partnership also covers potential industrial and supply chain integration linked to the C-390, alongside training programmes for technical, maintenance and operational personnel, supporting knowledge transfer and workforce development.

The contract follows an evaluation process, including a test campaign in the UAE’s operational environment. 

The UAE Air Force and Air Defence selected the C-390 as best suited to its mission requirements, with a focus on operational efficiency and lifecycle costs.