Panama orders 4 Embraer A-29 Super Tucano aircraft in landmark first combat fleet acquisition
September 4, 2025
Panama has signed a contract with Embraer for the purchase of four A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, which will be operated by the country’s National Air and Naval Service (SENAN) as a new surveillance and protection platform.
The agreement makes Panama the eighth Latin American nation to select the Super Tucano, joining Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay and the Dominican Republic.
“It is an honour for Embraer to see another Latin American country choose the A-29 Super Tucano to leverage its surveillance, reconnaissance and protection capabilities,” says Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.
“Panama’s choice of the Super Tucano, a world leader in its category, will certainly serve as a strong ally to support the country in its mission to maintain national sovereignty.”
The Panama order had been disclosed in April this year, but today’s signing makes it official.
Why Panama picked the Super Tucano
The acquisition forms part of a broader programme to expand SENAN’s capabilities and support Panama’s national security project. The A-29 will be used for missions including border surveillance, reconnaissance, control of illicit activities and air patrol, alongside pilot training.
Embraer highlights that the Super Tucano has logged more than 600,000 flight hours and been selected by 22 air forces worldwide. The platform is valued for its combination of low operating costs, reliability and operational flexibility.
The aircraft is designed to perform a wide spectrum of roles, from intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) to air escort, special operations support and tactical coordination.
Panama’s acquisition of the Super Tucano marks a first for the country, as the aircraft will become the nation’s inaugural dedicated combat platform. Until now, the National Air and Naval Service (SENAN) has relied on light utility aircraft and helicopters for patrol and transport missions, with no fixed-wing combat capability in its fleet.
The expanding reach of Embraer’s Super Tucano
In the past year, the A-29 Super Tucano has attracted a wave of new customers across Latin America and Europe.
Paraguay signed for six aircraft in July 2024, with the first four delivered by June 2025. Uruguay followed soon after, initially ordering five with options for another five in August 2024; those options were confirmed in early 2025, making for a fleet of ten on order.
Meanwhile, Portugal became the first NATO country to adopt the type, signing a deal in December 2024 for 12 A-29N aircraft built to NATO standards. The first three arrived in Portugal in late August 2025 and are undergoing systems integration at OGMA.
Panama’s decision to acquire four Super Tucanos places it alongside these recent buyers and makes it the eighth Latin American nation to operate the aircraft.
Beyond new acquisitions, existing users are also continuing to invest: in July 2025, the United States approved a Foreign Military Sale package to provide sustainment support for Lebanon’s A-29 fleet.
The combination of low operating costs, versatility in surveillance and training missions, and proven service record continues to make the Super Tucano an attractive platform worldwide.
