Mansour bin Zayed witnesses the signing of a contract to purchase C-390 Millennium aircraft for the Air Force

His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister and Head of the Presidential Office, today witnessed the signing of a contract to purchase C-390 Millennium aircraft for the UAE Air Force and Air Defense.

This came during His Highness’s visit to the Tawazun Defense Empowerment Council’s pavilion at the “Make in the UAE” activities in its fifth edition, which opened its activities today.

The contract was signed by Dr. Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of the Tawazun Defense Empowerment Council, and Bosco da Costa Junior, CEO of Embraer Defense and Security.

It is noteworthy that the Tawazun Defense Empowerment Council, the national body concerned with empowering and regulating the defense and security industries system in the UAE, has concluded a contract with the Brazilian company Embraer, which includes confirmed contracts to purchase 10 aircraft, with options to purchase 10 additional aircraft in the future. Comprehensive capabilities for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and after-sales support services for the C-390 Millennium aircraft will be developed, in cooperation with one of the national defense companies, which will support efforts to localize defense industries and enhance industrial integration within State.

The Air Force and Air Defense selection of the C-390 Millennium aircraft came after a comprehensive technical and operational evaluation process, which included field tests within different operational environments within the UAE, where the aircraft was approved as the most suitable to meet operational requirements, achieve the highest levels of efficiency and reliability, while improving operational cost efficiency throughout the life cycle of the system.

The aircraft will contribute to enhancing the capabilities of the Air Force and Air Defense in carrying out a wide range of missions, including strategic air transport, landing of forces, air drops, humanitarian and relief support, and medical evacuation, in addition to the ability to operate from unpaved runways, and enhancing interoperability with national forces and the forces of friendly and allied countries.

This deal is the largest single international contract for the C-390 Millennium aircraft, and represents the first entry of the aircraft into the Middle East region, reflecting its compatibility with the modern operational requirements of the Air Force in complex and multi-threat environments.

Dr. Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi said: This contract represents an advanced operational addition to the military air transport system of the United Arab Emirates, and directly enhances the levels of readiness and operational efficiency of the armed forces, supporting their ability to carry out their tasks within a wide range of operational scenarios and with the highest levels of efficiency and reliability.

He added: The adoption of the “C-390 Millennium” platform was based on a precise and comprehensive technical and operational evaluation process, which took into account performance and operational requirements in various environments, ensuring effective integration with existing systems, consolidating multi-mission air transport capabilities, and enhancing flexibility and operational response, in a way that supports the sustainability of readiness and expands the scope of operational capabilities in the long term.

Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense and Security, said: We are very proud that the United Arab Emirates has chosen the C-390 Millennium aircraft to enhance its air transport capabilities.

He added that this aircraft, which represents a qualitative leap in the aviation sector and has proven its operational efficiency, will provide the UAE Air Force and Air Defense with the flexibility and performance necessary to carry out a wide range of missions in various circumstances, at any time and in any place, for decades to come.

He stressed Embraer’s full commitment to providing the capabilities of the C-390 aircraft and providing technical and operational support with international standards to the UAE, which contributes to building a long-term strategic partnership that achieves the mutual benefit of both parties.

The aircraft represents the new generation of multi-mission military air transport capabilities, with its built-in readiness for interoperability and execution of various missions from the design stage. The aircraft redefines the standards of flexibility, reliability and operational efficiency, while continuously highlighting its advanced capabilities in the field of military air transport.