First order for the NATO-standard Embraer A-29N
December 15, 2024
On 12 December 2024, the Portuguese government announced that it will invest some €200 million to procure twelve Embraer A-29N Super Tucano turboprop light attack aircraft for the Força Aerea Portuguesa (FAP, Portuguese Air Force), along with a flight simulator and a full package of logistics/support services. Portuguese industry will participate in the manufacture of the aircraft, which will be used for training and close air support, replacing the last ten Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jets, which were retired in January 2018.
Portugal will become the first European operator of the A-29N, which was designed to meet NATO specifications. The A-29N was launched in April 2023, and was developed by Embraer to meet the requirements of smaller European air forces, with upgraded training systems that can accommodate virtual, or augmented reality training scenarios. For Portugal, the A-29N will be capable of undertaking operational light attack missions and will be able to be used for Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) training. Significantly, , the A-29N has a new datalink and is capable of single-pilot operation. Embraer has reportedly been negotiating the sale of the A-29N version of the Super Tucano to the Netherlands, as well as to Portugal.
João Nuno Lacerda Teixeira de Melo, the Portuguese Minister of National Defence confirmed to a 25 June parliamentary that the Força Aérea Portuguesa was close to acquiring “an Embraer-based ground attack aircraft, with Portuguese technology incorporated,” stating that: “I’m referring to the Super Tucano.” The Council of Ministers then began the technical and financial discussions with Embraer that have now resulted in the 12 December announcement.
Embraer has built close links with Portugal, and especially with OGMA – Indústria Aeronáutica de Portugal SA, the leading Portuguese aerospace company. OGMA participated in the initial phase of the aircraft’s development and assumed responsibility for supply chain development and management, and is heavily involved in the Embraer KC-390 programme, including central fuselage manufacturing, fairing, metallic alloys, composite materials and elevons. OGMA will support the A-29 for European customers as it does the C-390/KC390 Millenium.
The first FAP KC-390 tanker/transport aircraft entered service with Squadron 506 ‘Rinocerontes’ at Air Base No.11 in Beja on 16 October 2024, and Embraer has now delivered the second of five KC-390s ordered in 2019. The three remaining KC-390s are due to be delivered by 2027.
