Sweden may buy Brazilian C-390 transport aircraft in exchange for its Gripen fighters

Brazilian company Embraer will receive another customer for its C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft - Sweden.

Here's What We Know

With the decision to order the C-390 Millennium, the Swedish Air Force will become the sixth in Europe and the fifth in NATO to select this military transport aircraft, bringing the total number of operators worldwide to eight.

Until 2022, only three countries operated the aircraft: Brazil, Hungary and Portugal. The reasons for the growing popularity of the C-390 are quite obvious: it is the only offer in its weight category in the Western market and a potential replacement for the outdated C-130 Hercules.

So far, Sweden has only signed a letter of intent, so the final number of aircraft and the value of the deal will be known later. There is speculation that Sweden may want to replace its existing C-130s on a one-to-one basis, i.e. purchase 6 aircraft.

The deal could be worth up to $1.5bn for six units, given the recent contract of the Czech Republic, which purchased two C-390s for $492m.

There is also a high probability that Sweden will not pay in cash, as Brazil is considering the purchase of additional JAS 39 Gripen E/F fighters, and the transfer of four C-390 Millenniums from Embraer may be part of the deal in exchange for 14 Gripen fighters.

The fighter jets will be produced at facilities in Brazil. The Brazilian side has already localised Gripen assembly, which could be an important part of the cooperation. Interestingly, Colombia may also become a potential customer for Swedish fighter jets, and they will also be assembled in Brazil.

For those who don't know

The C-390 Millennium has a maximum take-off weight of 87 tonnes, a payload of 26 tonnes, and can carry up to 80 people. Its cargo compartment measures 18.5 x 3 x 3.4 metres, and its IAE V2500 engines provide 139.4 kN of thrust. The aircraft can fly over a distance of 5020 km with a 14-tonne payload and 2000 km with a maximum payload of 26 tonnes.

Source: Ministry of Defence