Sweden has officially committed to acquiring four C-390 Millennium multi-mission airlifters from Embraer, the Brazilian aerospace manufacturer announced on 1 April 2025.
The announcement, which secures the necessary production slots for the Swedish aircraft, was made on the first day Brazil’s 2025 LAAD defence and security exhibition in the presence of Peter Sandwall, state secretary to the Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson, and Bosco da Costa Junior, president and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.
Sweden and Brazil signed a letter of intent (LoI) on 9 November 2024 under which Sweden indicated its interest in buying C-390 airlifters while Brazil stated that it plans to procure additional Saab Gripen E/F fighters.
“We are proud to take a significant step towards the acquisition of this next-generation NATO-interoperable aircraft,” Sandwall was quoted as saying in an Embraer press release. “The ability of the C-390 to perform its missions in challenging environments anytime, anywhere, will be a welcome upgrade for Sweden’s defence, ensuring effective operations for the decades to come.”
“Sweden’s commitment to acquiring four C-390 Millennium aircraft marks a significant advancement in enhancing the Swedish Air Force’s operational capabilities,” added Da Costa. “These next-generation aircraft will not only boost Sweden’s military transport efficiency but also leverage existing European synergies in interoperability, training and life cycle support. Embraer remains dedicated to fulfilling Sweden’s requirements by delivering top-tier military transport aircraft, ensuring the Swedish Air Force can execute its most demanding missions with excellence.”
The Swedish Air Force has an urgent need to replace the five C-130H Hercules (Tp84) transport aircraft and one KC-130H (Tp84T) tanker that it still operates out of an original fleet of eight C-130s delivered from the 1960s.
Sweden is the sixth European nation to select the C-390, along with Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands and Portugal. As well as entering service with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, the C-390 has also been ordered by South Korea.
The C-390 can carry more payload (26 tonnes concentrated) compared to other medium-sized military transport aircraft and flies faster (870 km/h). By comparison, a Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules has a maximum payload of 21.7 tonnes and a maximum cruising speed of 657 km/h.
While the C-390 can achieve a range of 2,000 km with a 26-tonne payload, the C-130J-30 can reach 4,425 km with a 20-tonne payload.
However, when configured with air-to-air refuelling equipment, when it is designated the KC-390, a Millennium can both dispense fuel and receive it from another KC-390, extending its range.
According to Embraer, the current worldwide C-390 fleet has demonstrated a mission capability rate of 93% and mission completion rates above 99%.
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