The Portuguese Air Force and Embraer signed a contract for the supply of 12 A-29N Super Tucano aircraft on Monday in a ceremony held at OGMA in Alverca.
The advanced training and close air support aircraft will cost 200 million euros, as announced by the Portuguese government on December 13.
The A-29N is a specific variant for use within NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and is equipped with the alliance’s avionics and systems for this purpose.
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According to the Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Air Force, General João Cartaxo Alves, the first Super Tucanos will be delivered in the last quarter of 2025 and will be operational in early 2026.
OGMA will adapt to NATO standards
Portugal’s order is the first for the Super Tucano in Europe in almost 20 years that the aircraft has been in service. Unlike the EMB-312 Tucano, from which it originated and which operated in the Royal Air Force and the French Air Force, the A-29 has not found customers on the continent to date.
Embraer wants to change this reality with the A-29N and will count on the support of the Portuguese government to seek more operators. The Netherlands is considered a likely customer for the turboprop.
Portugal’s interest in the Super Tucano is not isolated. OGMA, which produces components and provides support for Embraer aircraft, has 35% of its shares in the Portuguese state.
The adaptation of the A-29s to NATO standards will be carried out by the Portuguese subsidiary.
The Portuguese Air Force has been without an advanced training aircraft since the retirement of the Alpha Jet in 2018.
