The Swedish Air Force (SwAF) has returned to the search for an aircraft capable of replacing its Lockheed C-130 Hercules freighters. The country decided to cancel the purchase of used C-130J Super Hercules from the Italian Air Force, a deal that was already taken for granted. The move could be a big break for the Embraer KC-390.
According to the portal Breaking Defense, citing the Armed Forces Budget report for 2024, the purchase of Italian turboprops “needs to be revised after full analysis of industry quotation.” In June 2022 the former commander of the Swedish Air Force, Major General Carl-Johan Edström, confirmed the purchase of four C-130Js to replace the six C-130Hs from SWAF, further stating that the first two planes would arrive in 2023.
The negotiation, however, was canceled on the grounds that the planes would not meet the requirements of the Air Force. In this way, the government and military organization will come up with a “new plan of action”, which includes new budgets for a replacement.
Before choosing to negotiate with the Italians, SwAF considered modernizing its C-130s, which would extend the useful life of the aircraft to the mid-2030s. The veteran Hércules have shown low availability, which raised the possibility of an upgrade, followed by the decision for a full replacement.
As the portal notes, the problems are not limited to the Hercules fleet. At the end of 2022 Sweden decided retire their NH90 helicopters prematurely, also due to difficulties with maintenance and availability. The fleet of Saab Gripen fighters also showed a drop in flight hours, but due to a lack of pilots.
And the Embraer KC-390?
The Stockholm decision makes room for an important competitor, the Embraer KC-390 Millennium. Sweden in the past showed interest in the model, still in its design phase, as part of the bid for the FX-2 Program contract.
With the victory of Gripen in 2013 — now in service with the Brazilian Air Force at Anápolis Air Base — there was a strong strengthening of relations between Brazil and Sweden. Saab and Embraer also ed together, especially for the manufacture of the fighter in the national territory, as part of the compensation agreement (offset).
This improvement in relations favors the Brazilian jet, developed precisely to succeed the Hércules. Another important factor is the acquisition of the KC-390 by three NATO member countries (Portugal, Hungary and the Netherlands), two of which will replace their C-130 Hercules with Embraer's multi-mission tactical freighter.
In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Sweden signed a letter of hip in the US-led military alliance, soon to become a member nation alongside neighboring Finland.
With information Breaking Defense
