Super Tucano on the rise: Embraer’s “little giant” consolidates its market leadership with sales to Paraguay and soon to Uruguay and Portugal

In order to strengthen airspace protection and combat cross-border organized crime, the Government of the President of the Republic of Paraguay, Santiago Peña, signed decrees 2162, 2163 and 2165 authorizing the Ministry of Defense to acquire six Embraer A-29 Super Tucano training and attack aircrafts for the Paraguayan Air Force (FAP).

Estamos decididos y vamos a redoblar nuestros esfuerzos en la lucha frontal contra el crimen organizado transnacional. Por eso, firmé los decretos 2162, 2163 y 2165, que autorizan al @MDN_PY la adquisición de aeronaves Súper Tucanos para la protección de nuestro espacio aéreo, y… pic.twitter.com/LiGbBfLh6g

— Santiago Peña (@SantiPenap) July 18, 2024

Paraguay’s Minister of Defense, Óscar González, informed that the purchase operation, valued at just over US$96 million, includes, in addition to six aircraft:

• Communication and night flight equipment
• Weapon systems
• Mission planning and training software
• Logistic support for one year
• Maintenance tools
• Pilot and mechanic training
• 12-month warranty
• Presence of an Embraer technician in Paraguay for one year

Con el objetivo de fortalecer la lucha contra el narcotráfico y el crimen organizado, el Gobierno realizará una importante inversión para la defensa y seguridad.
?️ Ministro-Secretario Permanente del CODENA, Cibar Benítez pic.twitter.com/F6UV2k6GeX

— Vocería de Gobierno del Paraguay (@voceriaparaguay) July 18, 2024

At a press conference held at the presidential residence, the Minister Secretary of the National Defense Council (CODENA), Cibar Benítez, stated that transnational organized crime and drug trafficking are Paraguay’s main threats, and that is why the acquisition of the Super Tucanos fits within the framework of the Strategic Security Plan for Development, which foresees an investment of US$ 500 million for the Security and Defense portfolios.

Big month for the Super Tucano

July 2024 turned out to be an excellent month for Embraer’s Super Tucano, since, in addition to the sale of six planes to Paraguay, it was also announced that negotiations with Uruguay (another six units) and Portugal (A-29N as for “NATO”) are at a very advanced stage, and the signing of the respective contracts is “just around the corner”.

The A/T-29 Super Tucano is a robust, cost-effective, modern and highly flexible aircraft that can perform training, counterinsurgency, close air support, armed reconnaissance, interdiction and air policing missions, among others. Being able to perform many missions with the same platform is undeniably attractive to Air Forces that need to fulfill their obligations while keeping their budget in check..