“Portugal is part of the construction of the KC-390 and also benefits from the profit, which shows that it is a very good, very advantageous partnership, and it has been proven that this aircraft is increasingly sought after and desired by many allied countries,” stated Nuno Melo.
With Sweden’s Minister of Defense, Pål Jonson, by his side, the Portuguese official spoke to journalists at the end of a visit both made to the 506 Squadron of the Portuguese Air Force (FAP), which operates the KC-390, at Air Base No. 11 in Beja.
Sweden’s acquisition of four KC-390 aircraft, announced in April, will generate approximately 45 million euros for Portugal, a partner country of Embraer in the construction of these aircraft.
“The focus of this visit was the KC-390 and the collaboration we can do in logistics, maintenance, and training,” noted the Swedish minister, highlighting “wonderful opportunities” for partnership with the Portuguese.
In statements to journalists, the Portuguese Minister of Defense stated that during the meeting with his Swedish counterpart, the dialogue was not limited to the KC-390 aircraft and involved multiple areas, such as “new geostrategic needs.”
Nuno Melo mentioned that the “new geopolitical context” requires “greater joint participation” among allied countries, noting the strategic partnership with the Swedes.
“There are numerous areas, in the air, on land, at sea, where both countries can look to the future with an advantage for developing industries, creating jobs, especially in highly technological areas,” he emphasized.
Asked by journalists if Sweden attempted to sell the Swedish-made Gripen jets to replace the FAP’s F-16s, the official responded that this replacement process “has not started in Portugal.”
“In due time, that discussion will have to happen because all the equipment in the Armed Forces has a beginning, middle, and end of life,” he stressed, emphasizing that when Portugal decides to replace the F-16s “the free world is the market.”
The Swedish minister observed that relations with Portugal are changing, recalling that about 19 months ago, they were partner countries, and since the country’s entry into NATO, they are allies, and now, with the purchase of Embraer’s aircraft, they are together in the “KC-390 Club.”
“We are looking for partnerships to advance the industrial production of defense,” he added, announcing that the Swedish company Saab and OGMA — Indústria Aeronáutica de Portugal signed a memorandum of understanding today.
The Swedish minister stressed that Sweden is exposed “to Russia’s illegal aggression against Ukraine,” also warning about Russian movements in the Baltic Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
“It is something that united us. We talked about protecting critical infrastructure at sea and also about our support for Ukraine,” he underlined.
Regarding the increase in defense investment by Sweden, the Swedish official noted that just a few days ago, the budget was presented that raises investment in this area to 3.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2023.
“So, next year, we will be at 2.8% of GDP and will undertake the largest rearmament of Sweden since the 1950s, because of Russia’s illegal aggression in Ukraine,” he added.
During this visit to Air Base No. 11, the defense ministers of the two countries had the opportunity to experience the KC-390 aircraft simulator, the only one in Europe, and toured the maintenance workshops of this military plane.
