The Council of Ministers of the Portuguese government approved a resolution on July 4th that provides for the establishment of negotiations for the acquisition of Embraer A-29N Super Tucano turboprops.
According to a statement, the council authorized “the beginning of technical and negotiating discussions with a view to the eventual acquisition, by the Portuguese State, of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft and the design and development of its NATO configuration.”
The A-29N is a turboprop and light attack and close air support variant intended to meet the technical requirements of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and was launched by Embraer in 2023.
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The Portuguese government’s endorsement comes days after Defense Minister Nuno Melo declared in a hearing in the country’s Parliament that the acquisition of the aircraft was among the department’s goals.
Portugal is considered not only a potential customer for the Super Tucano, but a key partner for Embraer to offer the aircraft to other countries such as the Netherlands, which is also considering ordering it.
Thanks to the subsidiary OGMA and other local suppliers, Embraer is able to carry out several stages of production and support for its aircraft, including the A-29 and also the C-390 Millennium.
There is currently no definition of the number of aircraft that can be ordered. However, it is understood that the Portuguese Air Force may acquire around a dozen A-29N Super Tucano.
Since 2021, Embraer has not delivered new A-29s, when it sent the planes from Nigeria, in partnership with Sierra Nevada Corporation.
In addition to Portugal, the Brazilian manufacturer would be close to an agreement with the Paraguayan Air Force, which plans to order six turboprops.
