Banérgatan 62, Stockholm, December 10th, 2023

As part of the 2022 Strategic Defense Plan, intended to upgrade and enhance the readiness of the Swedish Armed Forces, the Swedish Air Force and the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) today called for bid requests on the following aircraft types:

• Medium-lift Utility Helicopter: To replace aging UH-60 Black Hawks and NH90 medium-lift helicopters, a fleet of up to forty new utility helicopters will be ordered. Ideally, this type should be suited for maritime patrol, ASW, light gunship and SAR functions. Ideally, this should be a part of a larger effort towards domestic helicopter production in Sweden.
• Aerial Tanker: Up to two Aerial Tankers to replace single KC-130H aircraft. Meant for increasing readiness and standby capability of the JAS 39E Gripen.
• Tactical Airlifter: To supplant and eventually replace C-130H aircraft, a fleet of up to five is being considered, especially for short-range airlift capability in the Baltic region, and general deployment into Europe and beyond.
• Maritime Patrol Aircraft: For use by the Swedish Coast Guard, as part of strengthened commitment to defense of the Baltic region, five medium maritime patrol aircraft will be considered for supplanting the current fleet of three Dash 8 Q-300 aircraft.

In addition, the FMV will accept unsolicited bid requests for additional types for use by the future Swedish Air Force. Confidence is expressed towards international cooperation and additional readiness of the defense forces of the Kingdom of Sweden through this plan.