The Uruguayan Air Force (FAU) has the Cessna A-37 Dragonfly jet as its only combat aircraft, in addition to some Pilatus PC-7 turboprop trainers.
This situation, however, should soon change as the South American nation’s government is determined to acquire a new aircraft with attack and training capabilities.
In April, FAU members visited Aero Vodochody’s headquarters in the Czech Republic for a presentation of the L-39NG, an updated variant of the L-39 Albatros-based training and attack jet.
According to Infodefensa, the Uruguayan Ministry of Defense is also evaluating a proposal to receive 12 A-29 Super Tucano turboprops that are in the reserve of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB).
Among the advantages of the proposal would be the availability of the aircraft in a short period of time, allowing the seven A-37s and the five PC-7s to be retired.
The A-29s are the same ones that were offered to Portugal and Ukraine and are being offered for $3.5 million each, said the outlet.
Uruguay was one of the operators of the FMA IA 58 Pucará twin-engine attack turboprops, produced by Argentina and made famous in the Falklands War 40 years ago. But the six planes were decommissioned in 2017.
