The first Embraer C-390 Millennium built for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has completed its maiden flight in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo, marking another step toward the aircraft’s planned delivery to South Korea in 2026.
According to Embraer, the aircraft has now completed its initial flight evaluation and will move into a new phase of testing and integration for systems tailored to ROKAF requirements.
Aircraft moves into testing phase before delivery
The flight comes just over a month after Embraer publicly unveiled the aircraft during the Singapore Airshow on February 3, 2026. At the time, the Brazilian airframer said the first South Korean C-390 had reached the final stage of assembly and would proceed to production flights before the integration of mission-specific systems.
Embraer has not yet announced a delivery date for the first aircraft, but the company said the jet will now undergo additional testing and the integration of systems specific to South Korean requirements.
South Korea became first Asian customer in 2023
South Korea selected the C-390 in December 2023 under its Large Transport Aircraft II, or LTA-II, requirement, making it the first Asian buyer of the type. At the time, Seoul’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration chose the Embraer jet over the Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules and the Airbus A400M Atlas to replace part of the country’s aging tactical airlift fleet. The deal covers three aircraft and was valued at $473 million, with deliveries expected in 2026.
In October 2025, Embraer signed an agreement with Seoul’s defense procurement agency to explore further opportunities in the South Korean market.
Embraer pitches C-390 as global airlift contender
Embraer has positioned the C-390 as a faster and higher-capacity alternative in the medium airlift segment. According to the manufacturer, the aircraft can carry up to 26 tons, cruise at 470 knots, and perform missions including cargo and troop transport, airdrop, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian relief. In KC-390 configuration, it can also serve as an aerial refueling tanker and receiver. Embraer has also highlighted the type’s interoperability in NATO environments and its suitability for Agile Combat Employment operations.
The South Korean program is part of a broader international expansion for the C-390. Embraer said in February 2026 that the aircraft had already been selected by 11 countries: Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, South Korea, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Uzbekistan, Slovakia, and Lithuania.
