Beja, Portugal, Dec. 18, 2025 (Lusa) – The mayor of the Portuguese city of Beja, in the Alentejo region, Nuno Palma Ferro, believes that Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, Embraer's future Super Tucano aircraft factory in the district will be "an engine of development", capable of attracting skilled workers and companies from the military industry.
"The creation of a factory of this size provides a driver of development for the district, in that it brings skilled jobs, which is everything we need and what we have committed ourselves to bringing to Beja over time," the mayor argued in statements to the Lusa news agency.
Nuno Palma Ferro, elected by the Beja Consegue (PSD/CDS-PP/IL) coalition and serving his first term of office, said he hoped that "this will be the first of many investments that will enable Beja to undergo a real change".
The mayor of the Beja city council was reacting to the letter of intent signed on Wednesday between the government and Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer for the opening of a Super Tucano aircraft factory in this Alentejo region.
The letter of intent was signed by the defence minister, Nuno Melo, and the president and CEO of Embraer, Bosco da Costa Júnior, at a ceremony held at the premises of OGMA - Indústria Aeronáutica de Portugal, in Alverca, in the Lisbon region.
"Today we are taking this important step. We are not just acquiring, we are acquiring and we want to participate, and today we are signing this letter of intent with a view to creating a Super Tucano aircraft production factory in Beja," announced Nuno Melo.
The ceremony marked the delivery by Embraer SA to the Portuguese Air Force (FAP) of the first five A-29N Super Tucano aircraft out of a total of 12, with full delivery expected over the next two years.
Contacted by Lusa, the mayor of Beja, the region where Air Base No. 11 (BA11) operates and where there is an airport adjacent to this military unit, said he received the news of the signing of this letter of intent "with great pleasure and special satisfaction."
"Because it reflects what we want, which is the Government's commitment to Beja and the region of Beja and the municipality of Beja. And in that sense, we are very happy," he stressed.
For Nuno Palma Ferro, "from the moment a company of this size [i.e. Embraer] sets up in the region, it is obvious that it will serve as an anchor company" so that "many others will also come and set up, particularly in the military industry".
"Europe is going through a new phase, its ministers are realising this, and we are very happy because Beja can and should be one of the hubs for many industries to come together here and definitely put us in the space and time where we deserve and aspire to be," he said.
On the sidelines of the ceremony at OGMA, Minister Nuno Melo said that "at this moment, Portugal is the first European country" to operate Super Tucano aircraft and "will train pilots" for these aircraft, replicating the KC-390 model, through the acquisition of a simulator.
"Portugal is the gateway to Europe and NATO for these investments and, through Portugal, also in the future, for the production of the A29 Super Tucano, confirming this strategic vision," he stressed.
The A-29N Super Tucanos are capable of "air-to-ground attack", will serve to support National Forces deployed abroad and carry out anti-drone missions in an "effective and cheaper way than using sophisticated jet fighter aircraft, where each piece of ammunition is very expensive", he said.
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