Sixth African country signs for Super Tucano
The order is for four aircraft. (Photo: Embraer)
The order comes on top of other countries ordering aircraft in 2024, specifically Portugal, Uruguay and Paraguay.
Embraer has closed out the year with another order for its A-29 Super Tucano light attack and advanced trainer aircraft, this time to an undisclosed customer on the African continent.
The order is for four aircraft and the country joins five others in Africa. The value of the contract was not disclosed but unit price is likely to be US$13–$16 million per aircraft depending on ancillaries, supports and services included in the contract.
According to the company: “These aircraft will perform a wide spectrum of missions such as border surveillance, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), close air support, counterinsurgency and advanced flight training.”
There have been more than 290 A-29s ordered and according to the company these aircraft have completed more than 570,000 flight hours and 60,000 of those hours have been in combat.
In 2024, Embraer announced new sales of the Super Tucano to the Portuguese Air Force (A-29N), the Uruguayan Air Force and the Paraguayan Air Force.
In December 2024, Portugal announced that it would invest €200 million (US$209 million) to acquire 12 A-29Ns.
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 company previously announced the sale of six Super Tucanos to the Paraguayan Air Force in July 2024 at the Farnborough International Airshow. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2025 with the price tag estimated to be around US$100 million.
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.
