Lockheed Martin Collaborates with MilDef

MilDef has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the American defence company Lockheed Martin to strengthen aviation and space cooperation through Lockheed Martin's C-130J-30 Super Hercules tactical aircraft for the Swedish Air Force, writes MilDef in a press release.

In April 2023, Saab and the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer signed a letter of intent in Rio de Janeiro for Saab to support Embraer in marketing its new transport aircraft KC-390 Millennium to the Swedish Air Force. In turn, Embraer will help Saab sell more Jas 39 Gripen to both the Brazilian Air Force and new potential customers in South America.

The Swedish Armed Forces currently have six Tp 84, internationally known as C-130H Hercules, all stationed at F 7 in Såtenäs. The aircraft are continuously used to support the daily operations of the Armed Forces as well as in special operations such as evacuations from Kabul and Sudan.

In September, Defence Minister Pål Jonson (M) and the Tidö parties' defence policy spokespersons held a press conference to present budget news in the defence area before the government was to submit the budget bill to the parliament. Mikael Oscarsson (KD) then stated that the issue of Tp 84 is something that can be "resolved in the near future".

On 20 September, the government submitted the budget bill for 2024 to the parliament.

In expenditure area 6, Defence and Society's Crisis Preparedness, it states that "Tp 84 [...] is outdated and has limited availability. To maintain the capability for tactical air transport, the aircraft system needs to be replaced." The text continues to describe how important transport flight capability is, which is why a procurement needs to happen "urgently".

– Coordinating our expertise with MilDef strengthens Lockheed Martin as we expand our relationships with Swedish industry to create jobs and economic benefits, while supporting Sweden's air power mission through our C-130J-30 Super Hercules offering, says Tony Frese, Vice President of Business Development for Air Mobility & Maritime Missions at Lockheed Martin in MilDef's press release.

Sweden is the first European operator of the C-130 Hercules, which is manufactured by Lockheed Martin. Both Norway and Denmark have already chosen the C-130J, in addition to 20 other countries.

MilDef writes that the two organisations will identify collaboration opportunities where MilDef's solutions and expertise can be integrated into Lockheed Martin's global ecosystem for the aviation and defence industry through the partnership. Dagens Industri reports that the stock rises by 4.1 percent in early trading on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.

– This partnership underscores the importance of industrial cooperation to offer the end customer the best possible solution. We are truly honoured to have been selected by Lockheed Martin as their local partner for this important programme and look forward to working together, says Daniel Ljunggren, CEO and Group President of MilDef Group in the press release.