Sweden has officially committed to acquiring four C-390 aircraft from Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer, securing necessary production slots as part of a joint European procurement effort. The announcement was made during the LAAD Defence & Security 2025 exhibition in Rio de Janeiro on Apr. 1.
Photo: Embraer
The commitment represents a significant investment in Sweden’s tactical transport capabilities and follows the recent signing of an agreement that joins Sweden with the Netherlands and Austria in the C-390 program.
“We are proud to take a significant step towards the acquisition of this next generation NATO interoperable aircraft,” said Peter Sandwall, State Secretary to Sweden’s Minister for Defence, who was present at the announcement ceremony alongside Embraer Defense & Security CEO Bosco da Costa Junior.
The procurement will be implemented with the Netherlands acting as agent and representative for the participating countries, based on an agreement signed on March 28, 2025. By joining an existing contract, Sweden expects to benefit from shortened delivery times and reduced costs compared to an independent acquisition.
This acquisition builds on a letter of intent signed on Nov. 9, 2024, between Sweden’s Minister for Defence Pål Jonson and Brazil’s Minister of Defense José Múcio, which outlined plans to deepen aerospace cooperation between the two nations. The agreement signaled Sweden’s readiness to task the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration and Swedish Armed Forces to begin negotiations for the C-390 aircraft purchase.
The November agreement also included Brazil’s intention to extend its existing contract for JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft from Sweden by 25 percent. Brazil had previously purchased 36 Gripen aircraft from Swedish company Saab in 2014, with eight delivered to Brazil at the time of the November announcement.
“New tactical aircraft will enhance Sweden’s defence capability. Through joint procurement, we will take delivery more quickly and at a lower cost than procuring the aircraft on our own,” stated Minister for Defence Pål Jonson in a Swedish government press release.
Sweden’s decision to acquire the C-390 comes as its current fleet of TP 84 (C-130H) tactical transport aircraft approaches the end of its technical life expectancy. The first TP 84 aircraft entered service with the Swedish Air Force in the 1960s, creating an urgent need for replacement.
The new aircraft will enable the Swedish Armed Forces to transport both personnel and equipment, described by the Ministry of Defence as “a key prerequisite for carrying out international military operations and evacuation operations.” The four aircraft will be based in Sweden once delivered.
Since entering operation with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, followed by the Portuguese Air Force in 2023 and Hungarian Air Force in 2024, the C-390 fleet has demonstrated a mission capability rate of 93% and mission completion rates above 99%.
The aircraft is designed to perform multiple missions, including transporting cargo and troops, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian missions. It can operate on temporary or unpaved runways such as packed earth, soil, and gravel, adding to its versatility.
Final negotiations between the Netherlands and Embraer regarding specific delivery dates are still ongoing. Sweden’s agreement with the Netherlands and Austria ensures that Sweden’s aircraft will receive priority in the production process. Final assembly will take place at Embraer’s production facility outside São Paulo, Brazil.
The C-390 has now been acquired by eight countries: Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, South Korea, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, and an undisclosed customer. In addition to Sweden, Slovakia has also officially selected the aircraft to modernize its air force.
With Sweden’s commitment, the C-390 continues to gain significant market share in the tactical transport aircraft segment, particularly in Europe. The Brazilian-made aircraft is increasingly becoming a preferred choice for nations seeking to replace aging transport fleets, challenging traditional dominance in this segment by offering competitive capabilities, performance metrics, and cost efficiency. The acquisition marks another step in the modernization of Sweden’s defense capabilities while addressing the increasing demand for transport aircraft throughout Europe and ensuring interoperability with NATO and partner nations.
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Would Lockheed Martin be that willing to make Embraer C-390 aircraft on their protection line and would Boeing be willing to build a C-17 with newer engine on a 15,000 runway next to the Boneyard?