Sweden signed a contract with Embraer on 6 October 2025 for the acquisition of four C-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft.
The contract, which includes seven additional purchase options that could be taken up by other European nations, was signed during a ceremony that took place at Uppsala Air Base, hosted by Swedish Air Force Commander Major General Jonas Wikman. Also in attendance was Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson along with defence representatives from other C-390 operators such as the Netherlands, Brazil, Austria, Portugal, Hungary and the Czech Republic.
The Swedish C-390 contract is part of a broader trilateral partnership between Austria, Sweden and the Netherlands aimed at fostering joint procurement, interoperability and long-term co-operation around the C-390 Millennium platform. The Netherlands and Austria jointly ordered five and four aircraft respectively in July 2024 nine, while Jonson signed a letter of intent on 9 November 2024 indicating that Sweden would buy four C-390s.
Other European countries that have ordered the C-390 include Portugal, which initially ordered five KC-390s in August 2019 before ordering a sixth in mid-2025; Hungary, which ordered two in 2020; and the Czech Republic, which ordered two in October 2024. Meanwhile, Lithuania announced that it intended to purchase three C-390s in mid-2025 and Slovakia stated at the end of 2024 that it would begin formal negotiations to buy three aircraft. The Portuguese order for a sixth aircraft also included 10 options that could be taken up by allies.
“This acquisition marks a major milestone in the modernisation and strengthening of the Swedish Air Force,” Jonson was quoted as saying in an Embraer press release. “With the C-390 Millennium, I am convinced we will increase our operational efficiency while enhancing interoperability with our European partners.”
Bosco da Costa Junior, president and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, added, “We are honoured to welcome Sweden to the C-390 Millennium family. This partnership reinforces the aircraft’s growing reputation as the new standard for tactical airlift in Europe and among NATO nations.”
According to Embraer, the current worldwide C-390 fleet in service with the air forces of Brazil, Portugal and Hungary has demonstrated a mission capability rate of 93% and mission completion rates above 99%.
The C-390 can carry more payload (26 tonnes concentrated) compared to other medium-sized military transport aircraft and flies faster (870 km/h). By comparison, a Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules has a maximum payload of 21.7 tonnes and a maximum cruising speed of 657 km/h.
While the C-390 can achieve a range of 2,000 km with a 26-tonne payload, the C-130J-30 can reach 4,425 km with a 20-tonne payload.
However, when configured with air-to-air refuelling equipment, when it is designated the KC-390, a Millennium can both dispense fuel and receive it from another KC-390.
As well as operating as a tanker and transport aircraft, the C-390 is capable of performing a wide range of other missions – such as airdropping cargo and troops, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting, and humanitarian missions – and can operate from temporary or unpaved runways.
