The government of Portugal approved the purchase of 12 Embraer A-29N Super Tucano aircraft, as part of a €200 million investment aimed at strengthening its advanced training and close air support capabilities. The announcement was made on December 12 following a resolution by the Council of Ministers.
The investment includes not only the aircraft but also a flight simulator, spare parts, and support services. Additionally, the agreement involves the participation of Portuguese aerospace companies, including Embraer’s facilities in the country through its subsidiary OGMA, although the specifics of local involvement have yet to be detailed.
With this purchase, Portugal becomes the first European customer of the Super Tucano, a light attack and training aircraft that has been in service worldwide since 2003. The A-29N variant was specifically designed to meet NATO interoperability standards, making it a strategic option for European countries seeking versatile and cost-effective aircraft.
The approval follows months of technical and financial negotiations between the Portuguese government and Embraer, which began in July. Embraer has strengthened its presence in Portugal by establishing local support infrastructure for both the A-29 and the C-390 Millennium transport aircraft. The company is also exploring new opportunities in Europe, with reported negotiations ongoing with the Netherlands, although the status of these discussions remains unclear.
Portugal’s acquisition of the A-29N aligns with NATO’s interoperability focus and enhances the country’s ability to train pilots and conduct close air support missions. The involvement of the local industry is expected to boost the national aerospace sector, though specific details about manufacturing roles are still pending.
As of the time of publication, Embraer has not issued an official statement regarding the agreement.
