Recognized for its versatility and performance, the A-29 Super Tucano has established itself as one of the world’s leading references in light-attack aviation, training, and surveillance. This success reflects Embraer’s solid track record in the defense segment, backed by the trust of more than twenty air forces that currently operate the type in different regions around the world.
The Super Tucano is a multi-role fixed-wing aircraft capable of carrying out air-to-air and air-to-ground attack missions, advanced pilot training, and armed reconnaissance. Its “3-in-1” operational concept, developed by Embraer, gives it remarkable flexibility to adapt to a wide range of tactical scenarios, expanding its scope into patrol, border surveillance, and aerial escort tasks.
With an operational range of more than 4,500 km and a payload capacity of up to 1,200 kg, the Super Tucano can integrate a wide range of equipment and weapons—including pods, conventional bombs, and air-to-air or air-to-ground missiles—features that consolidate it as a robust, efficient, and adaptable platform suited to the requirements of modern forces.
The A-29 Super Tucano, Brazil’s local designation, forms the backbone of the national Air Force’s training and patrol fleet, as well as its subsonic capability, with more than 90 units received since 2003. Its operational employment is integrated into air defense and air-control capabilities during air policing and surveillance missions in support of government events, such as the 2025 Belém Summit, alongside F-5M fighters, E-99 airborne early warning aircraft, and H-60L Black Hawk utility helicopters.
Its regional expansion dates back to 2006, with Colombia becoming the first regional operator of the modernized turboprop after ordering 25 units, delivered to its Air Force within two years. Over the span of two decades, Brazil’s ALX Project earned a reputation for reliability and effectiveness that drove its adoption across Latin American, European, African, Middle Eastern, and Southeast Asian defense procurement portfolios. Chile, Indonesia, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Mali, Ecuador, the United States, Angola, Lebanon, and the Dominican Republic acquired their first units during the 2010s, while in recent years Turkmenistan, Nigeria, and the Philippines received fleets of five to six aircraft through direct purchases from the Brazilian company and via the U.S. government’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
Its operational success also shaped new production chains in extra-regional locations. U.S. company Sierra Nevada Corporation acquired a production license for the Brazilian EMB-314, exporting to international markets under the FMS program through its partnership with Embraer Defense & Security. More recently, Portugal signed a letter of intent with the South American company to establish a final assembly line with OGMA–Indústria Aeronáutica de Portugal, a key industrial hub for the European aerospace ecosystem.
Portugal is highlighting the A-29’s tactical potential for European and transatlantic defense. The induction of the first five A-29N aircraft not only positions Portugal as the first regional operator of its class, but also broadens the horizon for further acquisitions within the Organization: the A-29N variant meets the NATO standardization required for operations in air patrol, armed ISR, CAS, advanced training, and close air support. In addition, the new configuration for the interception and neutralization of UAS is a cutting-edge advantage in the shared global challenge of countering drone swarms; this complementary feature on the N versions would represent a significant technological leap focused on emerging threats.
The addition of Uruguay, Paraguay, Ecuador, and Panama to the list of current operators of Brazil’s Super Tucanos underscores its marked regional expansion. Since 2024, Ecuador—with U.S. financial support—has sought to revitalize and restore its EMB-314 fleet; Paraguay finalized the purchase of six A-29s, logistic packages, simulators, and pilot training through BNDES financing, and in July 2025 the Air Force received the first four aircraft. Uruguay, for its part, finalized the purchase of six aircraft with the aim of restoring air capabilities lost following the retirement of the IA-58 Pucará and the still-in-service A-37 Dragonfly.
Panama highlighted a 2025 development through its project to acquire a number of A-29s for its air fleet. Following a meeting between the two countries’ presidents, the general outline for acquiring four units was laid out. Other potential users of the Super Tucano family include Honduras and Ghana. The A-29 strengthens regional interoperability and raises the technological standard of Latin American air forces. Its low operating cost and versatility make it a strategic capability multiplier for the region: the cost-to-quality ratio increases absolute gains.
The Super Tucano’s growing prominence is underpinned by the roadmap traced by the KC-390 Millennium’s success in the global market. In parallel, Portugal was the first country to pursue units of the Brazilian utility/tanker aircraft, and following this precedent multiple states moved forward with contractual procurement of the platform, including Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, Sweden, Slovakia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, South Korea, and India.
Embraer Defense & Security positions itself as a substantial global player for national defense: continuity and positive feedback across its various industrial programs reinforce its standing on the international chessboard. Brazilian technology is finding new operational endpoints, modernizing international air fleets and providing cutting-edge tools—an essential product of the Defense Industrial Base (DIB).
By Valentina Angaramo Berrone.-
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