Embraer’s KC-390 Millennium has carried out demonstration flights in extreme cold conditions in Sweden, as part of its campaign to prospect for new orders in the global market.

The aircraft recently operated at the Vidsel Test Range, in northern Sweden, where it performed short takeoff and landing maneuvers on icy surfaces. The tests were aimed at validating performance in low temperatures and supporting operations from austere and dispersed locations.

Cold-weather trials are one of several environments the KC-390 has been exposed to as part of its development and demonstration program. The aircraft has previously been tested in high-temperature regions, high-altitude airfields and humid environments such as tropical areas, reflecting the requirement for a multi-mission transport to operate under a wide range of conditions.

The stop in Sweden also provides an opportunity for the Swedish Air Force to evaluate the aircraft more closely following its selection of the type. Sweden ordered four KC-390s in 2025 as part of a plan to modernize its airlift fleet, becoming one of several European operators of the jet.

KC-390 undergoing snow and ice testing in Sweden. (Embraer)
KC-390 undergoing snow and ice testing in Sweden. (Embraer)

The KC-390 has now been selected by Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, South Korea, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Uzbekistan, with total orders reaching around 50 aircraft.

Deliveries to date include eight aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force, four for Portugal and two for Hungary. South Korea is expected to become the next operator, with three aircraft on order.

Designed as a tactical transport and aerial refueling platform, the KC-390 competes in a segment traditionally dominated by turboprop aircraft, offering higher speed and payload while retaining the ability to operate from short and unpaved runways.