Portugal to purchase 12 NATO-configured A-29 Super Tucanos
The A-29N was first announced in 2023 by Embraer. (Photo: Embraer)
The €200 million investment also includes a flight simulator, goods and logistics support and full implementation and sustainment of the A-29N from Embraer.
Portugal has announced that it will invest €200 million (US$209 million) to acquire 12 A-29N Super Tucano aircraft from Embraer.
Announced via a statement from the Portuguese Council of Ministers on 12 December, the investment will also reportedly include a flight simulator and goods and logistics support, as well as full implementation and support of the aircraft.
The procedure to acquire the 12 aircraft will involve “strong participation of the Portuguese industry” with a view to configuring the aircraft “to NATO standards and specifications”, the government added.
Related Articles
Portugal signs contract for five KC-390s
This acquisition of the A29-N aircraft from Embraer means that Portugal will be the first European NATO country to operate the light attack aircraft.
The A-29N was first launched in 2023 by Embraer, with the manufacturer adding that it had already seen interest from “several European countries”. As of 2024, this reportedly amounts to fellow NATO country and C-390 customer the Netherlands, and C-390 customer Austria.
This announcement follows previous discussions between Embraer and the Portuguese government in June 2024, where the latter gave the green light for the start of “technical and business negotiations” to begin.
Portugal is already supported with an Embraer production line via OGMA – a state-owned Embraer-authorised maintenance and manufacturing centre.
In 2019, Portugal announced its intention to acquire five C-390 Millennium aircraft from Embraer. With two aircraft now delivered, OGMA is heavily involved in the manufacturing process of this NATO order, which includes the fuselage centre.
According to CNN, the procedure for acquiring the A-29N aircraft will be similar to that of the C-390 Millennium, with it supporting the A-29N production. In 2023, four Portuguese aeronautical firms signed an MoU with Embraer to develop technologies for the Super Tucano – meaning that Embraer will manufacture the Super Tucano using NATO standards in partnership with OGMA.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Peru cleared for possible $3.42 billion F-16 Block 70 buy]()
Peru cleared for possible $3.42 billion F-16 Block 70 buy
The potential foreign military sale covers 12 F-16 aircraft as well as related training and equipment support, the DSCA notice said.
-
![DSEI 2025: UK’s new Air Chief Marshal outlines nuclear, space and IAMD as three key priorities for RAF]()
DSEI 2025: UK’s new Air Chief Marshal outlines nuclear, space and IAMD as three key priorities for RAF
Aiming to field a more integrated, agile force, the military leader said in a keynote speech that focus on these core areas would be increased to help the RAF deter and meet challenges in the new threat landscape.
-
![DSEI 2025: The fighter market shift to Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T)]()
DSEI 2025: The fighter market shift to Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T)
Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) capabilities is set to become a market differentiator for fighter aircraft, allowing 4.5-5th generation platforms to remain relevant to the battlefield.
-
![Project Kuiper’s LEO network pioneers Space-as-a-Service]()
Project Kuiper’s LEO network pioneers Space-as-a-Service
The Kuiper Network enables organizations to buy, rather than build, applications that serve mission needs at mission speed.
