Sweden has signed a contract for four Embraer C-390 Millennium multi-mission airlifters, becoming the latest European nation to join the joint procurement framework led by the Netherlands and Austria.
The signing took place on October 6, 2025, at Uppsala Air Base, in a ceremony attended by Swedish Minister for Defence Pål Jonson, Swedish Air Force Commander Major General Jonas Wikman, and representatives from other C-390 nations including the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Brazil.
Under the agreement, Sweden also secured seven purchase options designed to pave the way for future acquisitions within the European framework. This move mirrors a similar approach taken by Portugal, which announced that it had ordered a sixth C-390 alongside 10 delivery options for potential NATO partners on the opening day of the 2025 Paris Air Show.
This move signals increased regional interest in the C-390 platform amid Europe’s broader goal to enhance tactical airlift capabilities among NATO members.
Joint framework for speed, cost and interoperability
The contract formalizes Stockholm’s April 2025 decision to join the trilateral program with the Netherlands and Austria, which was chosen to accelerate deliveries and reduce costs through shared logistics, training, and maintenance support. Sweden initially selected the C-390 Millennium in late 2024, becoming the first Northern European country to choose the Brazilian-built aircraft.
The trilateral initiative aims to strengthen cooperation among operators while improving interoperability across European air forces. Through the program, participating nations expect to reduce unit costs, streamline supply chains and establish joint maintenance facilities.
“The C-390 Millennium will increase our operational efficiency and enhance interoperability with our European partners,” said Pål Jonson, Sweden’s Minister for Defence. “This acquisition marks a major step in the modernization of the Swedish Air Force.”
Strengthening industrial and transatlantic ties
The Swedish acquisition also strengthens industrial cooperation with Brazil, complementing the long-standing partnership between Saab and Embraer on the Gripen and KC-390 programs. Both governments reaffirmed their intent to deepen aerospace collaboration during President Lula da Silva’s visit to Sweden in 2024, paving the way for this deal.
Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, said the company was “honored to welcome Sweden to the C-390 Millennium family,” describing the aircraft as “the new standard for tactical airlift in Europe and among NATO nations.”
Growing European fleet
The C-390 can carry up to 26 tonnes of payload, cruise at about 470 knots, and operate from semi-prepared runways. Since entering service with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, followed by Portugal in 2023 and Hungary in 2024, the C-390 has achieved a reported 93% mission-capable rate and a 99% mission-completion rate.
The KC-390 variant has demonstrated aerial refueling capabilities both as a tanker and receiver, adding to its flexibility for NATO missions.
In Europe, the platform is in service with Portugal and Hungary, and on order with the Netherlands, Austria, Czechia, and Lithuania. Slovakia, meanwhile, has selected the aircraft and is advancing negotiations for three units.
