Sweden has announced its decision to replace its aging fleet of C-130H military transport aircraft with the Brazilian-made Embraer C-390 jet-powered, twin-engine transport plane. The deal was formalized by Defense Minister Paul Jonson during a meeting of defense ministers in Brazil.
The C-130H has been in service with the Swedish Air Force for over 50 years. However, as the years go by, the aircraft has become not only older but also more difficult and costly to maintain. The Swedish military has been searching for a suitable replacement for some time, and it appears they have finally found the right option.
“This means that we can take the long-awaited step and begin the process of replacing our current transport aircraft with the C-390,” said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Carl-Johan Edström. “Now we can start working on meeting the operational need for long-term tactical airlift capability.”
The Swedish Armed Forces have welcomed this decision as they continue their modernization process. Additionally, the acquisition of the C-390 will strengthen the bilateral relations between Sweden and Brazil.
“It is very gratifying that we are approaching a long-term solution, and the C-390 is a highly capable platform with great development potential,” said Major General Jonas Vikman, Commander of the Swedish Air Force. “We are now fully focused on bringing this absolutely central capability into operation as quickly as possible.”
Before deciding to fully replace its fleet of C-130H, Sweden had considered upgrading its existing aircraft. However, the modernization program would have resulted in a reduced number of aircraft in service and would have taken between six to nine months.
The military had to choose between two candidates – the C-390 Millennium and the C-130J Super Hercules. Reports indicated that Brazil had been in talks about a potential sale of the C-390 since 2023, while Lockheed Martin offered the C-130J-30 earlier this year.
Sweden has become the eighth country overall and the fifth in Europe to acquire the Brazilian-made cargo aircraft, following Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, South Korea, and the Czech Republic. This acquisition is part of the ongoing modernization process that began even before Sweden’s NATO membership. It represents a significant burden for the country, as it plans to replace nearly all of its military equipment. Other programs include the purchase of 60 Gripen E fighter jets, two GlobalEye early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, and the replacement of its NH90 helicopters.
The C-390 Millennium is a new-generation military multipurpose aircraft with exceptional payload capacity. Its spacious cargo compartment, with a volume of 169 m³, can accommodate a variety of payloads, including vehicles, palletized cargo, soldiers, medical patients, and auxiliary fuel tanks. This versatility makes it an ideal choice for a wide range of tactical and logistical missions.
The versatile design of the C-390 makes it suitable for a wide range of missions, from tactical operations to humanitarian aid. The aircraft can also be quickly reconfigured for air-to-air refueling operations, adding to its operational flexibility.
The C-390 is built with a robust structure that allows it to operate on semi-prepared or damaged runways. This is an extremely valuable feature in harsh environments and combat zones. The aircraft is equipped with a long cargo ramp, hydraulic stabilizer supports, and a cargo winch. Additionally, the KC-390/C-390 variant can be equipped for in-flight refueling, with a detachable refueling system mounted on the upper front fuselage. This makes the C-390 a highly adaptable and capable platform for various military and logistical needs.
Source: theaviationist
