Defense officials reveal commitment at Brazilian exhibition, joining Austria and Netherlands in joint procurement to speed delivery and reduce costs
Highlights
- Sweden secured four Embraer C-390 transport jets through joint procurement with Austria and Netherlands.
- Agreement accelerates delivery timeline and reduces acquisition costs.
- C-390s will replace Sweden’s aging fleet of six KC/C-130H aircraft.
- Deal expands global C-390 customer base to eight nations.
Sweden has secured production slots for four Embraer C-390 military transport aircraft through a multi-national procurement agreement, officials announced Tuesday at the LAAD Defence & Security exhibition in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The commitment marks a significant step forward in Sweden’s plans to replace its aging fleet of six Lockheed Martin KC/C-130H aircraft. By joining existing C-390 customers Austria and the Netherlands in their joint procurement initiative, Sweden aims to accelerate delivery timelines while reducing acquisition costs.
“New tactical aircraft will enhance Swedenβs defence capability. Through joint procurement, we will take delivery more quickly and at a lower cost than procuring the aircraft on our own,” said Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson in a statement.
The announcement builds upon a memorandum of understanding signed on March 28 between Sweden’s Defense Materiel Administration and the defense ministries of Austria and the Netherlands. Under the agreement, the Netherlands is leading the multi-national purchase, with final negotiations on delivery dates with Brazilian manufacturer Embraer still ongoing.
Peter Sandwall, state secretary to Sweden’s minister for defense, emphasized the strategic importance of the acquisition during the Brazilian exhibition. “We are proud to take a significant step towards the acquisition of this next generation NATO-interoperable aircraft,” Sandwall said.
The Swedish government initially selected the twin-engined C-390 as its preferred KC/C-130H replacement in November, following a competitive evaluation. The transport aircraft, which can be configured for aerial refueling, cargo transport, and medical evacuation missions, has gained significant traction among NATO and European nations in recent years.
With Sweden’s commitment, the C-390 has now been acquired by eight countries. Brazil, where the aircraft is manufactured, remains the largest customer with 19 units ordered. Other customers include Portugal (5), Hungary (2), South Korea (3), the Netherlands (5), Austria (4), the Czech Republic (2), and an undisclosed customer that has ordered two aircraft. Slovakia has also officially selected the platform and intends to acquire three units.
The Swedish acquisition comes amid a broader modernization of European air forces and growing interest in joint defense procurement initiatives across NATO and European Union members. The C-390’s appeal lies in its versatility, modern avionics, and lower operating costs compared to older military transport aircraft.
The Netherlands-led negotiations with Embraer will determine the final delivery schedule for the multi-nation order, which now includes at least 13 aircraft across three European countries.
