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The Kingdom of Sweden has officially ordered four Embraer C-390 Millenniummulti-mission aircraft, becoming the latest European nation to join the growing C-390 community. The contract also includes seven additional purchase options, paving the way for future acquisitions across Europe.
This milestone marks Sweden’s participation in a trilateral European procurement framework together with the Netherlands and Austria. The initiative aims to foster joint acquisition, interoperability, and long-term cooperation on the C-390 Millennium platform — strengthening Europe’s collective defense capabilities while optimizing training, logistics, and lifecycle support.
The signing ceremony took place at Uppsala Air Base, hosted by Major General Jonas Wikman, Commander of the Swedish Air Force, with the participation of Mr. Pål Jonson, Sweden’s Minister for Defence, and representatives from other C-390 operator nations including Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, and the Czech Republic.
“This acquisition marks a major milestone in the modernization and strengthening of the Swedish Air Force,” said Pål Jonson, Minister for Defence of Sweden. “With the C-390 Millennium, I am convinced we will increase our operational efficiency while enhancing interoperability with our European partners.”
“We are honored to welcome Sweden to the C-390 Millennium family,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. “This partnership reinforces the aircraft’s growing reputation as the new standard for tactical airlift in Europe and among NATO nations.”
Since entering service with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, followed by Portugal (2023) and Hungary (2024), the C-390 Millennium has proven its outstanding capability, reliability, and mission readiness. The current fleet demonstrates a mission capability rate of 93% and mission completion above 99%.
The C-390 can carry 26 tons of payload, fly at 470 knots, and operate from unpaved or temporary runways, such as packed earth or gravel. Its multi-mission versatility includes troop and cargo transport, airdrop, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian operations.
In its KC-390 configuration, the aircraft is equipped for air-to-air refueling, both as a tanker and as a receiver, reinforcing its flexibility across multiple mission profiles.
By joining the C-390 Millennium program, Sweden strengthens its European defense integration, enhances interoperability with NATO allies, and contributes to the continent’s strategic air mobility resilience for decades to come.
Edited: by Katerina Urbanova, EIC @ ACE
Photo Credit: Embraer Defense
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