RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Brazil's state development bank has approved 1.7 billion reais ($312.3 million) in financing for the export of 13 Embraer aircraft to U.S. SkyWest Airlines, it said in a statement on Friday.

The financing will be paid in U.S. dollars by SkyWest, BNDES said, adding that the aircraft are expected to be delivered between the end of 2025 and late 2026.

SkyWest, which has become Embraer's largest customer in recent years, placed a firm order in June for 60 E175 jets valued at $3.6 billion at list price, with options for 50 more.

BNDES has since 1997 financed over $26.7 billion in over 1,350 Embraer exports, in its role as a credit agent to promote the country's strategic export industries, shore up foreign reserves and help local firms compete globally.

($1 = 5.4440 reais)

Reporting by Rodrigo Viga Gaier; Writing by Isabel Teles; Editing by Sarah Morland and Tomasz Janowski