Yesterday, Embraer announced that the first C-390 Millennium transport aircraft destined for the South Korean Air Force (ROKAF) successfully completed its maiden flight in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo, marking a new milestone in the process of incorporating this platform into the country’s armed forces. Confirmation of this development represents further progress on the path toward the aircraft’s delivery to South Korea, scheduled for 2026.
This first flight of the C-390 Millennium tactical transport aircraft comes weeks after the company confirmed progress on the production line of the new aircraft, including the start of its final assembly, as part of the schedule planned for the delivery of the units acquired by Seoul.
The selection of the C-390 Millennium is part of a process that began in December 2023, under the “Large Transport Aircraft II” (LTA-II) competition, through which Seoul decided to invest 544.4 million dollars in a total of three of these aircraft in order to strengthen its air transport fleet.
Later, the partnership process between Embraer and South Korea received a considerable boost in October 2025, when both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding during the ADEX 2025 exhibition. The agreement, signed by South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and Embraer, laid the foundations for long-term technological and industrial cooperation, including the participation of South Korean companies in the C-390 production chain and the development of joint capabilities in maintenance, training, and logistical support.
It should also be mentioned that this contract is the first order placed by an Asian country, giving Embraer access to South Korea’s defense market, which today is regarded as one of the most significant by customers worldwide.
Now, with another step forward having been taken, the Brazilian manufacturer reported that, following the test, this new phase of trials and evaluation has now been completed, focused on the integration of specific systems required by South Korea, in what represents the model’s first incorporation by an Asian operator. This process is key before its formal acceptance and subsequent entry into service.
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