Embraer has revealed the first C-390 Millennium in the colors of the Uzbekistan Air and Air Defence Forces, but the aircraft appears to have an unusual history: it was originally being prepared for delivery to the Brazilian Air Force.
The manufacturer published two images of the aircraft on social media without providing its serial number, registration or expected delivery date. Uzbekistan was confirmed in February as the previously undisclosed customer for the C-390 and is expected to receive its first aircraft this year.
Aircraft databases currently identify the Uzbek aircraft as MSN 39000019, the same airframe previously associated with Brazilian Air Force registration FAB 2861. Embraer has not confirmed that identity.
The evidence, however, goes back several months. MSN 39000019 was seen at Embraer's Gavião Peixoto plant in June at an advanced stage of production and already carrying the Brazilian Air Force's green and gray camouflage and national markings.
The aircraft eventually received the test registration PT-CYQ but was not delivered to the Brazilian Air Force.
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On August 11, PT-CYQ flew from Gavião Peixoto to Belo Horizonte/Confins International Airport, where GOL Aerotech has been painting C-390s for Embraer's international customers. It arrived still wearing the Brazilian camouflage, but its military markings and identification had been covered.
Another significant change was already visible: the aircraft no longer carried the aerial refueling probe installed on Brazilian KC-390s.
Reports at the time indicated that MSN 39000019 would be repainted at Confins for Uzbekistan. The aircraft shown by Embraer this week now carries a gray Uzbek scheme, "UZ AIR FORCE" titles and the country's military roundel and flag.
Possible change in production sequence
If the aircraft is confirmed as MSN 39000019, Uzbekistan effectively received an airframe that had progressed far enough through production to be painted for the Brazilian Air Force before its destination changed.
Brazil has faced budget constraints affecting military procurement, but neither the Brazilian Air Force nor Embraer has said that FAB formally surrendered this aircraft or its production slot to accelerate the Uzbek delivery.
There has also been no announcement of another reduction in Brazil's C-390 order. The current agreement calls for 19 aircraft, down from the 28 originally ordered, after Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force renegotiated the program in 2022.
The change therefore does not necessarily mean that Brazil will receive one fewer aircraft. Another airframe could eventually take the FAB 2861 identity and preserve the contracted total.
Uzbekistan became the first C-390 customer in Central Asia when Embraer disclosed its identity at the Singapore Airshow in February. The manufacturer said the country intends to use the aircraft primarily for transport and humanitarian missions, but has not publicly disclosed the size or value of the order.
The aircraft revealed this week also lacks the refueling probe that distinguishes Brazil's KC-390 configuration, consistent with Uzbekistan acquiring the transport-oriented C-390 version.
