Portugal’s 1st A-29N Super Tucano light fighters depart Brazil as Embraer begins deliveries to NATO launch customer
August 27, 2025
The first two Embraer A-29N Super Tucano light attack and trainer aircraft destined for the Portuguese Air Force (Força Aérea Portuguesa-FAP) have made an 8,000 km (4,900 mile) journey across the Atlantic, on route to their new home.
The aircraft took off from Embraer’s production site in Gavião Peixoto, en route to OGMA Indústria Aeronáutica de Portugal on 26 August, where they will undergo final configuration to meet NATO operational standards.
The drop tanks or belly tank, as seen in the photographs, suggest that it was a ferry flight across the Atlantic. The likely delivery route with the extra tanks would be Sao Paulo-French Guiana-Sal Island-Cape Verde-Canary Islands-Lisbon.
This milestone marks the first tangible step in Portugal’s role as launch customer for the A-29N variant, a NATO-compliant evolution of the globally proven Super Tucano platform.
The first NATO standard Super Tucanos
Portugal’s $232 million deal with Embraer, signed in December 2024, includes 12 aircraft, a flight simulator, and a logistical support package.
The agreement made Portugal not only the first European nation to operate the A-29N but also the inaugural customer of the NATO-standard configuration globally.
The A-29Ns will bolster Portugal’s capabilities in close air support, advanced pilot training, joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) exercises, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations.
With deployments expected in Africa and other expeditionary theatres, the aircraft will enhance Portugal’s contributions to NATO and EU-led missions.
Delivery of all 12 aircraft is scheduled to be completed within two to three years, according to Embraer.
The Embraer A-29N: An upgraded version of a combat-tested turboprop
The A-29N Super Tucano was unveiled in 2023 as an upgraded version of Embraer’s combat-tested turboprop.
Designed specifically to meet NATO requirements, it incorporates advanced capabilities including single-pilot operation, a tactical datalink, and secure communications powered by Rohde & Schwarz’s SOVERON AR software-defined radios.
Each aircraft supports a wide array of precision-guided munitions and comes equipped with an internal machine gun, freeing up external pylons for additional armaments.
The aircraft can be configured in more than 160 ways, making it exceptionally versatile for a broad spectrum of operational needs.
Globally, the Super Tucano has earned its reputation with over 260 aircraft delivered, logging 570,000 flight hours, including 60,000 in combat. Its low maintenance costs and rugged design, including the ability to operate from unpaved airstrips, make it ideal for austere or expeditionary environments.
OGMA is a crucial Embraer partner in Europe
Once in Portugal, the aircraft will be inducted at OGMA’s facility in Alverca, where they will receive final NATO-standard upgrades before entering service.
OGMA, a long-time Embraer partner and subsidiary, was involved in early development work on the A-29N and will serve as the primary support hub for European operators.
OGMA also plays a central role in the Embraer C-390 Millennium programme, further solidifying Portugal’s position as a strategic industrial partner in Embraer’s defence ecosystem.
This partnership supports local aerospace capability, creates high-skilled jobs, and positions Portugal as a regional centre for aircraft sustainment, especially if other European nations, such as the Netherlands, follow through on reported interest in the A-29N.
Portugal’s Embraer Super Tucanos will enhance NATO interoperability
The A-29N offers critical tactical flexibility for NATO member states, particularly in light attack and advanced training roles. Its seamless integration with NATO command-and-control infrastructure through secure communications and datalinks makes it a powerful force multiplier in coalition operations.
For Portugal, the aircraft will not only support national defence and international missions, but also deepen its operational integration within NATO’s joint force structure. The investment underscores Lisbon’s commitment to defence modernisation and readiness.
With the first two aircraft now on Portuguese soil, the A-29N programme officially transitions from contract to capability.
For Embraer, it’s the latest step in expanding its European footprint. For NATO, it’s a welcome addition to the alliance’s light air power toolkit. And for Portugal, it’s a clear statement of intent to lead in affordable, agile, and effective air combat solutions.
