Sweden confirms acquisition of four C-390 Millennium and secures production slots

Rhea-AI Summary

Embraer (NYSE: ERJ) has secured a significant commitment from Sweden to acquire four C-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft. The announcement follows Sweden's joining of the C-390 program alongside the Netherlands and Austria. The C-390 Millennium, which has been acquired by eight countries, demonstrates impressive operational metrics with a 93% mission capability rate and over 99% mission completion rates.

The aircraft's capabilities include carrying 26 tons of payload, flying at 470 knots, and performing various missions including troop transport, medical evacuation, search and rescue, and firefighting. It can operate on temporary or unpaved runways and features air-to-air refueling capabilities. The C-390 is currently in operation with the Brazilian Air Force (since 2019), Portuguese Air Force (2023), and Hungarian Air Force (2024).

Positive

• Secured new order for four C-390 aircraft from Sweden
• Expanding market presence in Europe with three nations joining the program
• Demonstrated strong operational performance with 93% capability rate
• Growing order book with 8 countries acquiring the aircraft

Negative

• None.

Insights

Aerospace & Defense Industry Analyst

Sweden's commitment to acquire four C-390 Millennium aircraft represents a significant strategic win for Embraer's defense business. This procurement solidifies the aircraft's growing footprint in the European defense market, following adoptions by the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.

The deal's timing is particularly notable, as it demonstrates Embraer's ability to secure production slots for Sweden amid increasing international demand - with the C-390 now ordered by eight countries and selected by two others. This expanding user base creates valuable network effects for training, maintenance, and operational experience sharing among allied nations.

The operational performance metrics mentioned are particularly impressive for a relatively new platform - 93% mission capability and 99% mission completion rates. These figures suggest exceptional reliability compared to legacy platforms in this segment, potentially lowering total ownership costs for operators.

While the contract value remains undisclosed, the multi-mission capabilities of the C-390 platform (troop transport, medical evacuation, aerial refueling, and humanitarian operations) provide excellent versatility for Sweden's defense requirements. The aircraft's NATO interoperability, explicitly highlighted in the announcement, further enhances its value proposition for European operators and opens additional partnership opportunities.

The continued expansion of Embraer's defense portfolio helps diversify the company's revenue streams beyond commercial aviation, potentially providing more stable long-term cash flows through both procurement and ongoing support services.

Military Procurement Specialist

Sweden's formal commitment to acquire four C-390 Millennium aircraft reflects a significant shift in European military transport procurement patterns. Historically dominated by the C-130 Hercules and A400M programs, Sweden's decision signals growing acceptance of Embraer's platform as a viable alternative for NATO and European air forces.

The sequential adoption pattern we're witnessing – with Brazil as the launch customer, followed by Portugal, Hungary, and now formalized agreements with the Netherlands, Austria, and Sweden – demonstrates a calculated, risk-mitigated approach to fleet modernization. Each new customer benefits from operational feedback from existing users, reducing program risks.

The technical specifications highlighted in the announcement – 470 knots cruise speed and 26-ton payload capacity – position the C-390 in a unique capability niche between tactical and strategic airlifters. The platform's demonstrated performance on unprepared airfields further enhances its operational flexibility for Nordic defense scenarios.

Most telling is the emphasis on mission capability rates of 93% across the existing fleet. For reference, this exceeds typical availability rates for many legacy transport platforms, suggesting potential maintenance and operational cost advantages for Sweden.

The multilateral approach to acquisition, with Sweden joining the Netherlands and Austria in the program, indicates possible shared logistics, training, and maintenance arrangements that could enhance cost-effectiveness across European operators. This collaborative procurement model aligns with broader NATO interoperability objectives while potentially offering economies of scale on sustainment costs.

• This major milestone follows Sweden's signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Netherlands and Austria joining the C-390 Millennium program

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sweden officially committed to acquiring from Embraer (NYSE: ERJ/ B3: EMBR3), a global leader in the aerospace industry, four C-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft, securing the necessary production slots. The official announcement of this commitment took place during LAAD Defence & Security 2025 in the presence of Peter Sandwall, State Secretary to Minister for Defence from Sweden and Bosco da Costa Junior, president and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. This announcement follows the recent official signing of an agreement that stipulates that Sweden joins the Netherlands and Austria in the C-390 program.

"We are proud to take a significant step towards the acquisition of this next generation NATO interoperable aircraft. The ability of the C-390 to perform its missions in challenging environments anytime, anywhere, will be a welcome upgrade for Sweden's defense, ensuring effective operations for the decades to come," said Peter Sandwall, State Secretary to Sweden's Minister for Defence.

"Sweden's commitment to acquiring four C-390 Millennium aircraft marks a significant advancement in enhancing the Swedish Air Force's operational capabilities. These next-generation aircraft will not only boost Sweden's military transport efficiency but also leverage existing European synergies in interoperability, training, and life cycle support. Embraer remains dedicated to fulfilling Sweden's requirements by delivering top-tier military transport aircraft, ensuring the Swedish Air Force can execute its most demanding missions with excellence," said Bosco da Costa Junior, president and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.

The C-390 Millennium is considered as a true game changer by its operators, redefining the concepts of versatility, reliability, operational efficiency and cost effectiveness. The aircraft has been acquired by eight countries: Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, South Korea, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, and an undisclosed customer. It has also been officially selected by Sweden and Slovakia to modernize their air forces. The C-390 represents the next generation of military airlift with multi-mission capability and interoperability built by design.

Since entering operation with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, the Portuguese Air Force in 2023 and, most recently with the Hungarian Air Force in 2024, the C-390 has proven its capability, reliability, and performance. The current fleet in operation has demonstrated a mission capability rate of 93% and mission completion rates above 99%.

The C-390 can carry more payload (26 tons) compared to other medium-sized military transport aircraft and flies faster (470 knots) and farther, being capable of performing a wide range of missions, such as transporting and dropping cargo and troops, medical evacuation, search and rescue, firefighting and humanitarian missions, operating on temporary or unpaved runways, such as packed earth, soil and gravel.

The aircraft configured with air-to-air refueling equipment, with the designation KC-390, has already proven its aerial refueling capacity both as a tanker and as a receiver, in this case by receiving fuel from another KC-390 using pods installed under the wings.

Images: https://embraer.bynder.com/share/3314732C-E263-4E2F-BDCE8AFB129A9B0D/

About Embraer

Embraer is a global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil. It manufactures aircraft for Commercial and Executive aviation, Defense & Security, and Agricultural customers. The company also provides after-sales services & support through a worldwide network of wholly owned entities and authorized agents.

Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 9,000 aircraft. On average, about every 10 seconds an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes off somewhere in the world, transporting over 150 million passengers a year.

Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 150 seats and is the main exporter of high value-added goods in Brazil. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service and parts distribution centers across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sweden-confirms-acquisition-of-four-c-390-millennium-and-secures-production-slots-302417200.html

SOURCE Embraer S.A.

FAQ

How many C-390 Millennium aircraft has Sweden committed to purchase from Embraer (ERJ)?

Sweden has committed to acquiring four C-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft from Embraer.

What is the operational performance of the C-390 fleet according to current data?

The C-390 fleet demonstrates a 93% mission capability rate and mission completion rates exceeding 99%.

Which countries are currently operating the C-390 Millennium aircraft?

The C-390 is currently operated by the Brazilian Air Force (since 2019), Portuguese Air Force (2023), and Hungarian Air Force (2024).

What are the key performance capabilities of Embraer's C-390 Millennium?

The C-390 can carry 26 tons of payload, flies at 470 knots, and performs various missions including transport, medical evacuation, and aerial refueling.

How many countries have acquired or selected the C-390 Millennium as of 2025?

Eight countries have acquired the C-390: Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, South Korea, Netherlands, Austria, Czech Republic, and an undisclosed customer, with Sweden and Slovakia officially selecting it.