Sweden and Brazil signed a letter of intent to deepen defense cooperation through the acquisition of one another’s military aircraft.
Stockholm aims to purchase the Brazilian Embraer C-390 Millennium aircraft, while Brasilia plans to expand its JAS-39 Gripen fleet by 25 percent.
C-390 for Sweden
The procurement process for the C-390s to replace the Sweden’s aging C-130s will begin after the letter signing, although the exact quantity has not been disclosed.
Last year, Saab and Embraer signed a partnership to modify the C-390 for the Swedish Air Force and explore the aircraft’s potential sale to other Latin American countries.
Gripens for Brazil
Meanwhile, Brazil signed a contract with Saab in 2014 to acquire 36 JAS-39 Gripen fighters, with induction by the Brazilian Air Force beginning in 2022.
Deliveries are still ongoing with eight being delivered so far.
In 2023, a production line for the F-39 Gripen E was inaugurated in Brazil, the first to be established outside of Sweden.
“Aerospace cooperation is important to both Sweden and Brazil. The new letter of intent provides a basis for us to further deepen this cooperation,” Swedish defense minister Pål Jonson said during the agreement signing with Brazilian counterpart José Múcio in Natal, Brazil.
