The Portuguese Air Force (FAP) is close to acquiring another aircraft: the Embraer A-29 Super Tucano. This was confirmed by the country's Minister of National Defense on Tuesday (25).
During a hearing in parliament, minister Nuno Melo stated that the purchase of Brazilian attack turboprops is about to be judicially approved. The model has been in the FAP's sights for some time, to fill the gap left with the loss of Dassault-Dornier AlphaJet jets.
“We are currently finalizing what will be the implementation of a ground attack aircraft […] from Brazil, from Embraer, with Portuguese technology incorporated, in a project […] that will be legally approved, moving from plan to political and legislative process very soon. I’m referring to the Super Tucano and a munitions factory”, said the head of the department.
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The acquisition is in accordance with the country's legislative planning, which has reserved the amount of 180.5 million Euros for the purchase of Close Air (CAS) aircraft. Embraer's Super Tucano is a leading product in this market, being in operation in at least 17 countries and already extensively tested in combat in various scenarios.
Embraer is offering the A-29N to Portugal. Launched last year, it is a version of the Super Tucano with specific instrumentation for NATO countries, such as data link and weapons. If the purchase goes ahead, Portugal will become the first country in Europe to operate the A-29.
Nuno Melo's announcement comes as Embraer has been gaining more and more space on the Old Continent, especially with the KC-390 Millennium military freighter. This week, the FAP itself received the second of five jets acquired in 2019.
Portugal's choice for the Super Tucano is motivated in part by Embraer's presence in the country. Embraer has maintenance facilities in Portugal through its subsidiary OGMA, facilitating logistical and technological updating of aircraft. Furthermore, Portugal has a long-standing relationship with Brazil in military cooperation, illustrated by exchange and training programs
