The Swedish Air Force is expected to know soon which aircraft will replace its aging C-130H Hercules, the service’s chief, Major General Jonas Wikman, told Flight Global.
According to him, the evaluation of the competitors, the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules and the Embraer C-390 Millennium, has been submitted to the Swedish government and both have been deemed capable of meeting the necessary requirements.
“It’s going to be a political decision,” Wikman explained, suggesting that the Swedish government may see some kind of broader arrangement in a potential deal.
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A recent addition to NATO, Sweden had the implicit support of the United States, where Lockheed Martin is based, to gain approval to join the military alliance.
On the other hand, Embraer has become a partner of Saab in the manufacture of Gripen fighters for the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) and negotiations for a second batch of aircraft are in the works.
The Brazilian government has already made it clear that it hopes for some kind of agreement that benefits both parties.
Recently, the Brazilian Air Force even leaked a possible interest in acquiring second-hand F-16 fighters.
Although it denied any connection with the Gripen program, behind the scenes the FAB’s attitude was seen as pressure to obtain a more favorable agreement for Brazil.
The Swedish Air Force currently operates five C-130Hs with about 43 years in service in addition to a KC-130 tanker with 55 years in operation.
