Embraer A-29 Super Tucano surpasses 600,000 flight hours
At the 2025 Paris Air Show, Embraer Defense & Security announced that its global fleet of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft has surpassed 600,000 flight hours. This combat-proven light attack and advanced training turboprop continues to expand, with more than 290 aircraft ordered by 22 air forces worldwide, reinforcing its position as the leader in its class.
The A-29 Super Tucano is a versatile platform designed for 21st-century mission scenarios. Its success lies in its ability to perform a wide range of operations, including Close Air Support (CAS), air patrol, interdiction, Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) training, Armed Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR-A), and border surveillance.
Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, stated, “It's a privilege to share this key milestone in the successful trajectory of the leading aircraft in its category. The A-29 Super Tucano is the only light attack, armed reconnaissance, and advanced training turboprop aircraft in production, with proven combat performance around the world.”
The platform has demonstrated its value in real combat environments, such as the Afghan Air Force’s operations against insurgents, where it earned praise for its precision and its ability to support ground troops. Its robust design enables operations from unprepared runways and austere environments with minimal infrastructure—an essential trait for today’s operational theaters.
What is the A-29 Super Tucano?
It is a light attack, armed reconnaissance, and advanced training turboprop aircraft manufactured by Brazilian company Embraer.How many air forces operate the Super Tucano?
Currently, 22 air forces worldwide have selected the A-29.What are the capabilities of the A-29N?
The “N” variant, developed for NATO, includes alliance-specific communication and datalink systems, advanced avionics, and upgraded capabilities to meet the alliance’s strict interoperability requirements.
NATO adaptation and new operators
One of the latest and most strategic evolutions of the platform is the A-29N Super Tucano, a variant interoperable with NATO standards. Portugal became the launch customer of this version with a contract signed in December 2024 for 12 aircraft, valued at approximately €200 million.
This acquisition, with deliveries set to begin in late 2025, positions Portugal as the first European country to operate the Super Tucano in its NATO configuration. The aircraft, which will be partially assembled by Embraer subsidiary OGMA in Portugal, are equipped with NATO-specific communication and datalink systems and are intended to replace the retired Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet fleet, withdrawn in 2018.
The A-29 is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68C engine and is armed with two 12.7 mm machine guns on the wings, an optional 20 mm cannon under the fuselage, and five hardpoints for various rockets, air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-9L Sidewinder, and precision-guided bombs. Its state-of-the-art cockpit, with advanced avionics and a modern human-machine interface (HMI), reduces pilot workload and enhances situational awareness.
This announcement adds to a busy week for Embraer at Le Bourget, where the company also announced major deals for its C-390 Millennium multirole transport aircraft with countries like Lithuania and the Netherlands, further strengthening the Brazilian company’s presence in the competitive European defense market.
AUTOR
Desde 2017, haciendo periodismo aeronáutico. Award-Winning Journalist: Ganador de la edición 2023 de "Periodismo de Altura", otorgado por ALTA. Facts don't care about your feelings.
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