Lisbon, Dec. 13, 2024 (Lusa) - Portugal's government will invest around €200 million in acquiring twelve A-29N Super Tucano aircraft from the Brazilian company Embraer. This process will result in "strong participation from the Portuguese industry" at a technological level.
The Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano (English: Super Toucan), also named ALX or A-29, is a Brazilian turboprop light attack aircraft designed and built by Embraer as a development of the Embraer EMB 312 Tucano. The A-29 Super Tucano carries a wide variety of weapons, including precision-guided munitions, and was designed to be a low-cost system operated in low-threat environments.[2] In addition to its manufacturing in Brazil, Embraer has set up a production line in Portugal through OGMA and the United States, in conjunction with Sierra Nevada Corporation, to manufacture A-29s for export customers.
According to a statement issued by the cabinet on Thursday, a resolution was approved "to invest around €200 million in the acquisition of twelve A-29N Super Tucano aircraft, a flight simulator and logistical support goods and services from Embraer, S.A., as well as the full implementation of the aircraft acquisition and support programme".
This decision follows "technical and negotiating discussions" authorised by the government in July in a previous cabinet resolution.
According to the government, this project will involve "strong participation by Portuguese industry in highly technological areas, to reconfigure the aircraft to NATO standards and specifications".
This procedure will be similar to the investment made in the KC-390 aircraft, also produced by Brazil's Embraer and in which modifications have been made to adapt them to the requirements established by the alliances of which Portugal is a member, namely NATO, the United Nations and the European Union.
These modifications, certified by the National Aeronautical Authority, allow other NATO or European Union member countries to acquire the aircraft at a profit to the Portuguese state.
In 2019, Portugal agreed to buy five KC-390 aircraft and a simulator from Brazil's Embraer for €850 million. Two of the aircraft have already been delivered and will replace the C-130 Hercules.
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