The Portuguese Ministry of National Defense has signed an agreement with Embraer to acquire 12 A-29N Super Tucano aircraft, making Portugal the first nation to operate the latest variant of the trainer and light attack aircraft.
The deal aligns with Lisbon’s initiative to modernize its Air Force assets. The upgraded aircraft will be used for various missions, including advanced pilot training, close air support, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
“This contract gives us the opportunity to contribute to the modernization of the Portuguese Air Force and to further deepen our strong partnership, paving the way for additional industrial cooperation with the local defense industry,” Bosco da Costa Junior, president and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, said in a statement.
Super Tucano Features
Certified by the U.S. Air Force, the A-29 Super Tucano features advanced avionics, a rugged design and modern communication systems. The aircraft combines light attack, armed reconnaissance and tactical training capabilities and can operate in austere and demanding environments.
According to the Brazilian manufacturer, it is the only aircraft in its class featuring an internal machine gun, freeing up pylons for additional weapon systems and enabling over 160 configuration options. It also integrates electro-optical infrared sensors compatible with night vision goggles, enabling precision targeting, thermal imaging and video capture from 15,000 feet.
The latest deal follows Embraer’s August agreement with the Uruguayan Air Force to deliver six A-29 Super Tucanos to enhance the country’s border surveillance and operational capacity. Currently, the A-29 Super Tucano is operational in 16 air forces, with more than 260 units worldwide and over 550,000 flight hours logged, including 60,000 in combat.