With a ceremony held at Uppsala Air Base (Sweden), the Swedish Ministry of Defense officially confirmed the purchase of four Embraer KC-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft, intended to replace the veteran TP 84 Hercules (C-130) of its Air Force. The acquisition was carried out under the European joint procurement program, in which Austria and the Netherlands also participate, and it includes seven additional options that could lead to future purchases by other nations interested in the Brazilian model.
This development strengthens a growing trend in Europe toward interoperability and multinational cooperation in defense, where the KC-390 Millennium has emerged as one of the most modern and versatile platforms in its class. With this decision, Sweden joins the family of European operators of the model, already adopted by Portugal, Hungary, Austria, and the Netherlands. The ceremony was attended by Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson and representatives of air forces already operating the KC-390, who highlighted the strategic importance of this acquisition in enhancing Europe’s logistical and air mobility capabilities.
Minister Jonson stated, “This acquisition marks a major step forward in the modernization and strengthening of the Swedish Air Force. With the C-390 Millennium, we will increase operational efficiency and interoperability with our European partners.” Similarly, Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, said, “Sweden joins a group of countries that have set a new standard in tactical airlift. This aircraft combines the best of Brazilian aerospace technology to perform demanding missions in any scenario.”
The Swedish contract is part of a trilateral cooperation with Austria and the Netherlands, aimed at promoting fleet standardization, joint training programs, and a shared maintenance and logistical support framework. Since entering service with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, the KC-390 has demonstrated remarkable operational reliability, with mission completion rates above 99% and availability at 93%. With a payload capacity of up to 26 tons, the aircraft can operate from unpaved runways and perform a wide range of missions, including cargo and troop transport, airdrops, medical evacuation, firefighting, search and rescue, and aerial refueling.
The decision also reinforces strategic ties between Brazil and Sweden, a relationship consolidated in the defense sector through the Gripen E/F program, under which Saab and Embraer collaborate in producing next-generation fighter jets for both air forces. Last September, both governments reaffirmed their commitment to deepening technological and military cooperation, highlighting the KC-390 and Gripen as cornerstones of a partnership focused on innovation, knowledge transfer, and joint industrial development.
With this acquisition, Sweden takes a decisive step in its military modernization process. The incorporation of the KC-390 Millennium will not only increase the responsiveness of its Air Force but also strengthen a network of cooperation with NATO allies and European partners. By opting for a Brazilian-made platform, Sweden reaffirms its strategic vision of integrating technological and industrial capabilities with Latin America, bolstering a partnership that combines operational efficiency with a shared horizon of innovation and collective security.
Image credits: Embraer
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