Afghanistan welcomes final batch of A-29s
The Afghan Air Force (AAF) has received its final four A-29 Super Tucano turboprop aircraft out of 26 ordered from the US.
‘The AAF now has the capacity to plan and implement operations independently,’ AAF Commander Lt Gen Abdul Fahim Ramin said on 17 September in a ceremony marking the arrival of the aircraft.
According to the Afghanistan MoD, the A-29 fleet is equipped with machine guns, rockets, and laser-guided bombs.
In February 2013, the USAF awarded prime contractor Sierra Nevada a contract to build 20 Super Tucanos, given the US designation A-29, to provide a light air support capability for the AAF. The first was delivered to the USAF in September 2014.
This indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract was later extended to 26 aircraft. Nine of these are employed by the USAF for training AAF pilots and engineers.
Shephard Defence Insight estimates an out-of-service date of 2039 for the Afghan A-29 fleet.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![BAE explores AI enhancements for Eurofighter Typhoon pilots]()
BAE explores AI enhancements for Eurofighter Typhoon pilots
BAE is working with Swedish developer Avioniq to trial AI decision-making aids intended to protect the fighter jet against missiles and other beyond-visual-range threats.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: GA-ASI and Saab partner on AEW MQ-9B capability, demo to fly by 2026]()
Paris Air Show 2025: GA-ASI and Saab partner on AEW MQ-9B capability, demo to fly by 2026
The AEW capabilities are seen to slot into Saab’s wider AEW offering as a complementary extension to its portfolio, while augmenting the MQ-9B’s own range of uncrewed aircraft.
-
![US lawmakers signal F-35 investment commitment of $10.7 billion in FY2026]()
US lawmakers signal F-35 investment commitment of $10.7 billion in FY2026
Although it remains unclear how the US DoD has advanced in fixing issues with the F-35 programme, the multi-billion dollar fund has been included in the FY2026 defence bill.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: Teaming success for E-7 and MQ-28 as Ghost Bat targets Europe]()
Paris Air Show 2025: Teaming success for E-7 and MQ-28 as Ghost Bat targets Europe
Boeing has announced the successful flight trial of a MQ-28 Ghost Bat uncrewed aerial system (UAS) teaming with an E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft against an airborne target.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: GA-ASI unveils the PELE air-launched UAV]()
Paris Air Show 2025: GA-ASI unveils the PELE air-launched UAV
The air-launched PELE has been designed to extend the sensing capabilities of the MQ-9B and its user service through various payloads.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: Portugal signs for sixth C-390 Millennium aircraft with 10 options for future European acquisition]()
Paris Air Show 2025: Portugal signs for sixth C-390 Millennium aircraft with 10 options for future European acquisition
Portugal was the second country to purchase the C-390 Millennium aircraft for its air force, originally signing for five aircraft in 2019. This order marks the first time an operator has signed an additional order for the C-390.
