Embraer already had the EMB-312 Tucano, an aircraft that was well-received in the military trainer market, when in the 1990s it decided to develop a more capable and advanced variant.
The plan also pleased the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) and from there the ALX program was born, which would serve as a replacement for the EMB-326 Xavante advanced training jets, a licensed version of the Aermacchi 326.
The EMB-314 Super Tucano emerged as a larger aircraft, equipped with a much more powerful PT6 engine, updated avionics and increased weapons capacity, in addition to carrying out missions never thought of for the Tucano.
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The first flight took place in 1999 and the A-29 Super Tucano entered service with the FAB in 2003. In the Air Force, the aircraft performs a variety of missions, from pilot training to border surveillance, especially to preventing the transport of narcotics from neighboring countries.
The Super Tucano’s capabilities soon caught the attention of other countries, several of which are Tucano operators. One of the first customers was Colombia in 2006, followed by Chile two years later.
There are currently at least 16 operators worldwide and another six countries are expected to join them soon. The most recent orders came from Uruguay and Paraguay, which ordered six aircraft each.
Portugal will be the first customer for the A-29N, a variant specifically for NATO. Embraer is also negotiating with several other air forces and may announce new contracts soon.
See where the EMB-314 currently flies
Afghanistan
The United States transferred 26 aircraft through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program starting in 2014, but with the Taliban’s takeover at least 20 of them were destroyed.
Angola
The African country ordered six A-29s that were delivered starting in 2013.
Brazil
The Brazilian Air Force received 99 aircraft, but at least seven were lost in accidents. The rest will undergo an upgrade program soon.
Burkina Faso
Since 2011, the air force has operated three A-29B models.
Chile
The Chilean Air Force received 22 Super Tucanos in three batches, the first of 12 aircraft in 2012, the second with six turboprops in 2018 and four more planes in 2020.
Colombia
The South American country ordered 25 A-29s delivered between 2006 and 2008. One of the planes was lost, reportedly shot down by the FARC.
Dominican Republic
The EMB-314 is the only combat aircraft of the small air force, with eight turboprops in service since 2009.
Ecuador
Ecuador uses its Super Tucanos in training and combat missions. Of the 18 received, one was reportedly lost.
Indonesia
The Indonesian Air Force ordered 16 A-29s in 2011, but lost three of them in accidents.
Lebanon
Another small air force flying six A-29s received in 2018.
Mali
The African country ordered six Super Tucanos, but received four of them after funding was not forthcoming. One of the turboprops was lost in April 2020.
Mauritania
An operator of the EMB-312 Tucano, Mauritania ordered and received four A-29s starting in 2012.
Nigeria
Nigeria received six A-29s in 2021 through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program. The aircraft were assembled by Embraer partner Sierra Nevada.
Philippines
One of the last deliveries of new Super Tucanos was made to the Philippines, which received six aircraft at once in October 2020.
Turkmenistan
The Turkmenistan Air Force took delivery of five A-29 Super Tucanos between 2020 and 2021.
United States
The U.S. Air Force has at least three A-29s that were evaluated for counterterrorism missions but were to be decommissioned.
Upcoming and potential customers
Ghana
It signed a contract with Embraer for five aircraft in 2015, but has not received any of them. In 2024, Sierra Nevada demonstrated the A-29 in the country.
Honduras
The Honduran Air Force ordered two aircraft in 2014, but they have not yet been delivered.
Paraguay
After negotiations, Paraguay announced the order of six A-29s that will complement its AT-27s in border patrol and training.
Portugal
The country has already made official the plan to order the A-29N, a NATO version, but a contract and number of aircraft are not known.
Uruguay
It is the most recent customer of the Super Tucano, with six aircraft ordered in 2024.
