The aircraft came from the secondary market and had previously been used by the Canadian manufacturer for demonstration and marketing tasks. Before delivery, they underwent the necessary work to meet the requirements of their new user.
The total cost for Sweden was about SEK 1.1 billion. In Swedish military nomenclature, the aircraft have received the designation TP106.
The two aircraft will not be the only Global 6500s in Swedish military aviation. The same aircraft family is also used as the platform for the GlobalEye airborne early warning and control system, which has been purchased by FMV, with three aircraft ordered so far and an option for a fourth.
The home base of the TP106 aircraft will be Arlanda Airport, where the 75th Transport Squadron is stationed. According to FMV, standardising the aircraft platform will help reduce logistics and personnel training costs.
The purchase of the new VIP transport aircraft is part of the modernisation of Sweden’s military aviation. In the case of the Global 6500, the aircraft will replace the Gulfstream IV/550 currently in service.
Sweden has also ordered four Embraer C-390 Millennium transport aircraft and another batch of Lockheed Martin UH-60M Black Hawk multi-role transport helicopters. Additional purchases could also include shipborne MH-60R Seahawk helicopters.
