DefenseSweden orders four Embraer C-390 Millennium and paves the way for seven more aircraft
Sweden has signed a contract for the acquisition of four C-390 Millennium aircraft from Embraer, and has also included seven purchase options, opening up space for future acquisitions by other European nations.
The agreement is part of a joint program with Austria and the Netherlands, aimed at standardizing fleets and strengthening interoperability among NATO allies.
The signing took place at Uppsala Air Base, in the presence of Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson and representatives from air forces that already operate the model, such as Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.
According to Jonson, the new contract marks a step forward in the modernization of national defense. “This acquisition marks a major milestone in the modernization and strengthening of the Swedish Air Force. With the C-390 Millennium, I am convinced we will increase our operational efficiency while enhancing interoperability with our European partners,” said the minister.
Sweden joins the Netherlands and Austria, which in 2024 announced a joint purchase of nine units of the model. With the new order, the European fleet of the C-390 Millennium now totals 13 aircraft ordered, consolidating Embraer’s presence on the continent and reinforcing NATO countries’ interest in the Brazilian aircraft.
‘We are honored to welcome Sweden as part of the C-390 Millennium family. This partnership reinforces the growing reputation of the aircraft as the new standard for tactical airlift in Europe and among NATO nations,’ said Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.
Backlog
The new agreement formalized the expansion of the ‘backlog’ of C-390 orders from European operators. Last month, Portugal signed an addendum with Embraer to include a sixth aircraft, but also reserved ten Millenniums that could be ordered for future acquisitions by partner countries. There are at least 17 C-390 Millennium available for NATO member nations, for example.
The Portuguese order marked the first additional purchase of the KC-390 by an existing operator. It had already been revealed in June during the Paris Air Show when the partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
The country was the first foreign customer of the multimission aircraft, signing a contract in 2019. Three of the five KC-390 have already been delivered, the most recent one in July.
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