Embraer intends to invest 90 million euros (around US$ 100 million) to expand the facilities of OGMA, a subsidiary located in Portugal, revealed Publico.pt.
The resources will be used to assemble the Super Tucano attack turboprops in the NATO variant, the A-29N.
The Portuguese Air Force has already announced that it will order the aircraft although it has not mentioned the number of planes. The A-29N is also being evaluated by other countries such as the Netherlands.
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In addition, OGMA will take on the role of adapting the C-390 Millennium for customers of the military alliance, including the Czech Republic and the Netherlands, in addition to Portugal.
The subsidiary is currently involved in the manufacture of the Millennium and has recently begun maintenance and overhaul services for Pratt & Whitney GTF engines.
Alpha Jet Replacement
The Portuguese Air Force has long considered introducing the A-29 into its fleet, but an agreement has not yet been reached.
The Portuguese government’s Council of Ministers approved a resolution on July 4 that provides for the start of negotiations for the acquisition of Embraer A-29N Super Tucano turboprops.
According to a statement, the council authorized “the start of technical and business discussions with a view to the possible acquisition, by the Portuguese State, of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft and the design and development of their NATO configuration.”
The Super Tucano will take the place of the Alpha Jet trainer jet, 50 of which were acquired second-hand from Germany in 1993 and were withdrawn from service by 2018.
