Embraer says it expects additional defence aircraft deals in the Middle East following a landmark agreement with the United Arab Emirates for the C-390 military transport aircraft. Embraer’s defence and security head, Bosco da Costa Junior, tells Reuters the UAE order—up to 20 C-390s—positions the Brazilian planemaker for more sales to regional and allied customers. The contract includes 10 firm aircraft orders and 10 options, and Embraer says the UAE is the first buyer in the region to select the C-390. The company also flags the potential for government-to-government procurement mechanisms, similar to approaches used in Europe, where agreements helped enable orders by additional countries.
The reported value of the deal is about $1 billion, and analysts cited by The Economic Times estimate the order at that level. Embraer says it has been promoting the C-390 and its Super Tucano light attack aircraft in the region. It also notes that, while ongoing global conflicts do not directly accelerate sales, they increase government focus on operating costs and aircraft availability, supporting fleet replacement. Earlier efforts in Saudi Arabia to replace aging C-130 fleets are described as having weakened.
