Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has delivered the first five A-29N Super Tucanos to the Portuguese Air Force, part of a €200 million order for 12 aircraft of the type placed with the company.
The five A-29N Super Tucanos were showcased during a ceremony at OGMA’s, a Portuguese aerospace company, facilities in Alverca, which was attended by Portuguese officials, Embraer executives, and invited guests.
In a statement, Embraer announced that the delivery comes just one year and one day after the acquisition agreement was signed on December 16, 2025, marking a “significant milestone in Portugal’s process to modernize its air capabilities”.
“There is growing interest in employing the A-29 for counter-UAS missions in Europe, and a potential assembly line in Portugal paves the way for the development of new business and broader cooperation with the Portuguese defense industry,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.
During the ceremony welcoming the first five aircraft, Embraer and the Portuguese State also signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to explore the possible establishment of an A-29N final assembly line in Portugal.
Embraer said that aircraft produced at this facility would address possible demands from other European nations through government-to-government negotiations, contributing to the strengthening of the defense industrial base in Portugal and across Europe.
The A-29N is a NATO-adapted version of Embraer’s EMB 314 Super Tucano, a turboprop aircraft designed for counter-insurgency, light attack, and advanced pilot training missions.
Embraer said that the aircraft’s entry into service “reinforces its commitment to supporting NATO allies with reliable and innovative solutions.” Portugal now joins a growing list of countries that rely on the A-29’s proven capabilities for a wide range of missions.
The Super Tucano has been chosen by 22 air forces worldwide and has logged over 600,000 flight hours since its introduction in 2003.
