Government gives green light to Super Tucano acquisitions from Embraer

The Portuguese government has given the green light for the “start of technical and business negotiations” with Brazil’s aircraft manufacturer Embraer to acquire Super Tucano aircraft.

Embraer manufactures EMB 314 Super Tucano (Super Toucan in Anglo-Saxon markets), also called ALX or A-29, are turboprop light attack aircraft designed and built as a development of the Embraer EMB 312 Tucano.

The A-29 Super Tucano carries a wide variety of weapons, including precision-guided munitions, and was designed to be a low-cost system operated in low-threat environments. In addition to its manufacture in Brazil, Embraer has set up a production line in the United States in conjunction with Sierra Nevada Corporation for the manufacture of A-29s to export customers.

The Minister of Defence, Nuno Melo will be responsible for driving the negotiations that had begun under the previous government when in April last year, the then Prime Minister António Costa and Brazil’s President Lula da Silva signed a memorandum of understanding that aimed to “develop technologies related to the A-29 and its recently launched A-29N, which are designed to meet the needs of NATO member countries.

The new aircraft will take the place of the old Alpha Jets currently used by the Portuguese Air Force and which were decommissioned six years ago.

The negotiations are part of the government’s strategy to modernise and reinforce Portugal’s defence industry both in terms of investment and existing resources, including sector companies. It is no clear how many of the aircraft the government plans to purchase, but according to the Rio Times, Portugal has committed to €180.5 million.

The A-29N Super Tucano, also known as the EMB-314, is chosen for its versatility and ruggedness.

It can perform various missions, including advanced training, light attacks, and close air support (CAS). ThE aircraft is capable of operating from unpaved runways and in harsh environments, making it ideal for diverse military needs.