Embraer delivered the first of two C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft to the Uzbekistan Air Force on September 25, 2026, marking the platform’s entry into the Central Asian market. The handover took place at the manufacturer’s facility in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo, Brazil.

In a press release issued to mark the delivery, Embraer confirmed the aircraft will modernize Uzbekistan’s military airlift capabilities. The C-390 Millennium is slated to replace the country’s legacy Soviet-era transport platforms, taking on roles that include logistics, aerial delivery, and humanitarian relief operations.

Airframe reassignment and production history

The specific aircraft delivered to Uzbekistan bears registration UK39010 and Manufacturer Serial Number (MSN) 39000019. According to reporting by Air Data News, the airframe has a unique production history. It was originally allocated to the Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira) as FAB 2861.

The airframe became available for export reassignment following a November 2023 agreement between Embraer and the Brazilian government. That agreement reduced Brazil’s total C-390 order from 22 to 19 aircraft, down from an initial commitment of 28.

Uzbekistan originally signed a contract for two C-390 aircraft in December 2024 as an undisclosed customer. Embraer officially revealed the buyer at the Singapore Airshow on February 3, 2026. The aircraft completed its first flight from Gavião Peixoto on August 6, 2026, using the test registration PT-CYQ, before being publicly presented in full Uzbekistan Air Force livery on September 10, 2026.

Expanding international footprint and capabilities

The C-390 Millennium features a maximum payload capacity of 26 metric tons and a maximum cruise speed of 470 knots. These specifications position the twin-engine jet as a direct competitor to established turboprop transports in the tactical airlift segment.

The delivery to Uzbekistan represents continued export momentum for the C-390 program. Embraer has secured a series of international selections and orders in recent years. In August 2026, Colombia acquired the KC-390 Millennium variant. Other nations that have selected the platform include Sweden, South Korea, Austria, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands.

Embraer highlighted the regional significance of the handover during a presentation earlier in the month, as reported by Janes.

“Today, Embraer presents the first C-390 Millennium aircraft of the Uzbekistan Air Force, making the Republic of Uzbekistan the first C-390 customer in Central Asia.”

AirPro News analysis

We view the delivery of MSN 39000019 as a strategic win for Embraer’s defense division, demonstrating the manufacturer’s ability to pivot production slots efficiently. By reallocating an airframe originally destined for the Brazilian Air Force, Embraer accelerated the delivery timeline for a new international customer. This agility is critical as the company works to capture market share from aging Soviet-era fleets like the Antonov An-12 and An-32, as well as Western platforms like the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules. Securing a foothold in Central Asia also opens potential avenues for further regional sales as neighboring air forces evaluate their own modernization requirements.

Sources: Embraer

South Korea’s indigenous fighter program transitioned from development to operational service on September 22, 2026, with the delivery of the first mass-produced KF-21 Boramae Block I to the Republic of Korea Air Forces (ROKAF).

The milestone, announced in a joint press release by ROKAF and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), culminates a 25-year effort to field a domestically developed advanced fighter. Aircraft No. 001 was flown from the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) manufacturing plant in Sacheon to Yecheon Air Base in North Gyeongsang Province.

Delivery and escort flight

The inaugural operational sortie was piloted by Maj. Han Jae-seok of the 156th Fighter Squadron. During the transit flight, the KF-21 was escorted by an FA-50 light attack aircraft, a TA-50 fighter trainer, and a T-50 Golden Eagle jet trainer. According to Yonhap News Agency, this formation was designed to symbolize the generational progression of South Korea’s indigenous military-aircraft aviation industry.

ROKAF Chief of Staff Gen. Son Sug-rag emphasized the significance of the handover, describing the delivery as a historic milestone in achieving self-reliant national defense.

Overcoming numerous trials and hardships, the KF-21 was handed over to the Air Force today and commenced flight operations. Up until yesterday was the time for the Boramae project’s policymakers and developers. From today onward, it is the Air Force’s time.

Fleet integration and production timeline

The aircraft will be operated by the 156th Fighter Squadron, which ROKAF reactivated on June 1, 2026. The squadron previously operated F-4E Phantom II fighters before being disbanded in 2012, according to reporting by Janes.

DAPA awarded KAI a $1.4 billion contract in June 2024 to begin production of the first 20 Block I jets. Breaking Defense reports that ROKAF expects delivery of 40 Block I aircraft by 2028, followed by 80 Block II aircraft by 2032, bringing the total planned KF-21 fleet to 120 airframes. The platform is expected to be declared fully combat operational in the second half of 2027.

Development and testing milestones

South Korea first announced plans to develop an indigenous advanced fighter in March 2001. Full-scale system development formally began in December 2015, and KAI rolled out the first prototype in April 2021.

Before achieving combat suitability certification on May 7, 2026, the KF-21 program completed 1,600 flight tests covering 13,000 test conditions, according to AeroMorning. The transition to mass production was authorized in June 2024 following the successful completion of these initial testing phases.

AirPro News analysis

We view the delivery of the first production KF-21 as a critical step in South Korea’s broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign defense contractors and modernize its tactical air fleet. The Boramae will replace the ROKAF’s aging fleets of F-4E Phantom II and F-5 fighters, providing a bridge between fourth-generation platforms and the fifth-generation F-35.

While minor discrepancies exist in open-source reporting regarding the specific tail number painted on the first jet, with sources citing both 26-001 and 25-001, all official documentation confirms this airframe as production aircraft No. 001. The successful transition from prototype to production within five years of rollout demonstrates significant maturation in KAI’s manufacturing capabilities and sets a firm foundation for the planned Block II upgrades.

Sources: Republic of Korea Air Force

Saab and the Canadian Defence Investment Agency (DIA) signed a non-binding term sheet on September 25, 2026, establishing the framework for Canada’s potential acquisition of six GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft.

Announced via official statements from both the manufacturers and the Canadian government, the agreement advances Canada’s ongoing effort to modernize its continental defense and Arctic surveillance capabilities. The signing follows a May 27, 2026, announcement by Prime Minister Mark Carney designating Saab as the preferred supplier for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) AEW&C program.

Modernizing North American defense

The RCAF intends to utilize the GlobalEye fleet to fulfill its commitments to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and enhance domain awareness over Canada’s northern approaches. The AEW&C platform provides long-range detection and tracking of airborne, maritime, and surface targets, replacing legacy systems with modern sensor fusion capabilities.

“An Airborne Early Warning and Control capability will significantly strengthen Canada’s ability to detect, track, and respond to threats to our territory and approaches,” stated Lieutenant-General Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, Commander of the RCAF. “Beyond the capability itself, AEWC is about building the future Air and Space Force that Canada requires in an increasingly complex security environment.”

The procurement falls under Canada’s broader initiative to rebuild its military infrastructure and tighten security integration with European and North American allies.

Domestic industrial strategy

A central component of the procurement negotiations involves the aircraft’s underlying platform. The Saab GlobalEye is built upon the Bombardier Global 6500, an ultra-long-range business jet manufactured in Montreal, Canada. The Canadian government plans to leverage this domestic production line to secure long-term economic benefits and establish a local center for future missionization and support work.

The acquisition aligns with Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, which prioritizes purchasing proven systems from allied nations while mandating domestic industrial participation. Canadian Defense Minister David McGuinty described the term sheet as a tangible step toward equipping the RCAF with modern operational capabilities required for future deployments.

AirPro News analysis

While the term sheet represents concrete progress, we note a distinct difference in messaging between the negotiating parties. The Canadian government’s official communications heavily emphasize the domestic production of the Bombardier Global 6500 and the intent to perform missionization work within Canada. Conversely, Saab’s official statements remain circumspect, referring only broadly to “industrial participation” as a subject for the upcoming detailed negotiations. Because the current agreement is non-binding, the final distribution of manufacturing, systems integration, and maintenance workshare remains a critical hurdle before a finalized contract can be signed for the six airframes.

Sources: Saab