On December 31, 2024, Embraer finalized a contract to sell four A-29 Super Tucano light attack and advanced trainer aircraft to an unidentified client in Africa. These aircraft are intended to carry out a variety of missions, including border surveillance, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), close air support, counterinsurgency, and advanced flight training.
“The A-29 Super Tucano is an extremely versatile aircraft that can carry out the most challenging missions under the most demanding conditions. It is the world leader in its category as it combines a combat-proven track record with advanced technology,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.
As a versatile multi-mission aircraft, the A-29 Super Tucano excels in armed reconnaissance, close air support, light attack, and advanced training missions, all on a single platform. This greatly enhances the aircraft's availability and operational flexibility. Its sturdy airframe allows it to operate from unpaved runways in challenging environments. The A-29 Super Tucano is the leader in its category worldwide, with over 290 orders and more than 570,000 flight hours, including 60,000 in combat. In 2024, Embraer announced new sales of the Super Tucano to the Portuguese Air Force (A-29N), as well as the Uruguayan and Paraguayan Air Forces.
For air forces seeking a proven, comprehensive, efficient, reliable, and cost-effective solution on a single platform, coupled with great operational flexibility, the A-29 Super Tucano offers a wide range of missions such as close air support, air patrol, special operations, air interdiction, JTAC, forward air controller (FAC), air and tactical coordinator (TAC), armed ISR, border surveillance, reconnaissance, air escort, basic, operational and advanced training, transition to air superiority fighters, JTAC/LIFT and FAC training.
The A-29 Super Tucano stands out as the leading multi-mission aircraft in its class, featuring cutting-edge technology for accurate target identification, weapon systems, and an extensive communications suite. Its performance is further boosted by advanced human-machine interface avionics integrated into a durable airframe, allowing it to operate from unpaved runways in challenging environments without infrastructure. Additionally, the aircraft's straightforward maintenance design ensures high reliability, availability, and structural integrity while keeping life cycle costs low.
Embraer is experiencing strong demand for its products throughout Africa. This newest purchaser marks the sixth African customer, joining the ranks of Angola, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, and Nigeria.
Angola has six Super Tucanos, the first of which were delivered in 2013, for border surveillance and patrol.
Burkina Faso acquired three Super Tucanos in 2011, primarily utilized for counter-insurgency and border patrol purposes.
Mali has four Super Tucanos first delivered in 2018, which are also mainly used for counter-insurgency missions.
Mauritania also has four Super Tucanos acquired in 2018.
Nigeria purchased 12 Super Tucanos primarily used for counter-terrorism missions.
After the four airframes are delivered to the sixth unnamed customer, there will be a total of 33 Super Tucanos operational in Africa. Brazil is the leading operator of the Super Tucano by a significant margin, with nearly 100 aircraft, while other notable operators include Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, and Indonesia.
