SINGAPORE — Uzbekistan and the Philippines are the previously undisclosed customers for Embraer’s KC-390 airlifter and the A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft respectively, the company announced today.
The announcement marks the entry of the central Asian nation into the pool of global KC-390 operators. Meanwhile, the Philippines are acquiring its second batch of six Super Tucanos — bringing its total aircraft to 12.
“This is a clear demonstration that Embraer Defense and Security is ready for the future and is ready to support the most demanding air forces here in the Asia-Pacific region,” Embraer Defense and Security President and CEO Bosco da Costa Jr. said at the Singapore Airshow.
Da Costa Jr. declined to reveal how many KC-390s are destined for Uzbekistan, however, Embraer previously announced in December 2024 that an “undisclosed customer” was ordering two aircraft. The first aircraft for Uzbekistan will be delivered later this year, he said.
Embraer also first announced the order for six Super Tucanos to an “undisclosed customer” in December 2024.
The Uzbek Air Force will primarily use the KC-390 in transport and humanitarian missions, significantly improving its capabilities, and becoming the first Central Asian nation to operate the aircraft Embraer said in a news release.
The KC-390 has secured 47 orders from nine countries since 2014 and has been selected by two others. One future operator is South Korea, which ordered three aircraft in 2023 to augment the airlift capabilities of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF).
The first aircraft for the ROKAF was currently undergoing final assembly in Brazil, having left Embraer’s production line in December last year, said da Costa.
It will then procced to flight testing and integration of systems specific to ROKAF requirements before delivery, which is on track for later this year, he added.