Sweden and Brazil have taken new steps in their military cooperation by signing a declaration of intent, which means that Sweden will purchase transport aircraft from Embraer while Brazil plans to increase its order of the Jas 39 Gripen fighter jet from Saab. The decisions were signed during a meeting last week, attended by the defense ministers of both countries. Related article: The lead-up to Sweden's purchase of the Embraer C-390 In September last year, Brazil's Defense Minister José Múcio stated that he planned a visit to Sweden to negotiate a potential sale of Embraer's C-390 Millennium transport aircraft. For more on the background of the negotiations and the initial discussions regarding Sweden's decision, read the full article at Försvarssektorn Nyheter.

Since 2014, Brazil has had a contract with Sweden to purchase 36 Jas 39 Gripen fighter jets, of which eight have been delivered so far. According to the Ministry of Defense's press release, Brazil now plans to increase the order by an additional nine units. Meanwhile, Sweden intends to replace its current TP 84 Hercules transport aircraft with Embraer's C-390.

– Cooperation in the aviation sector is important for both Sweden and Brazil. The new declaration of intent allows us to deepen the cooperation further, says Defense Minister Pål Jonson (M).

According to an article from the Swedish Armed Forces, the decision represents a long-awaited opportunity to replace the aging Hercules aircraft. Lieutenant General Carl-Johan Edström emphasizes the importance of this update:

– This means we can take a long-awaited step and begin the process of replacing our current transport aircraft with the C-390 aircraft system, says Edström.

The Air Force Chief, Major General Jonas Wikman, further expresses that the C-390 is a qualified platform with great development potential:

– We are now fully focused on getting this crucial capability in place as soon as possible, he says

For Embraer, Sweden's choice of the C-390 means that another European NATO country joins the user base for the aircraft, which also strengthens the cooperation between Sweden and Brazil. Bosco Da Costa Junior, President & CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, expresses the company's appreciation for the Swedish decision:

– This multi-mission platform represents a significant upgrade in capability and is increasingly recognized by the world's most advanced air forces, including the Swedish, he says in a press release from the company.

Thus, Sweden becomes the sixth European country to acquire the C-390, following Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Portugal.