Embraer has delivered the first five A-29N Super Tucanos to the Portuguese Air Force (Força Aérea Portuguesa – FAP). The aircraft were officially handed over on 17 December 2025 during a ceremony held at the facilities in Alverca of Portuguese aerospace company Indústria Aeronáutica de Portugal (OGMA), in which Embraer has a majority stake.
The delivery comes just one year and one day after the acquisition agreement was signed under which 12 such aircraft were ordered for the FAP.
During the handover event Embraer and the Portuguese government signed a letter of intent (LOI) aimed at the potential establishment of an A-29N final assembly line in Portugal. Aircraft produced at this facility would address possible demands from other European nations through government-to-government negotiations, contributing to the strengthening of the defence-industrial base in Portugal and across Europe.
Speaking at the handover ceremony Portuguese Defence Minister Nuno Melo stated, “We are not only introducing a new air attack capability with proven results to support the Detached National Forces, but also addressing potential new scenarios. The Super Tucano now offers the possibility of performing anti-drone missions, demonstrating the flexibility of the aircraft chosen by the air force. I want to emphasise that this was the air force’s choice, with political decisions supported by technical opinions.”
The FAP chief of staff, General João Cartaxo Alves, stated, “The formal delivery of these aircraft represents another decisive step in the modernisation of the air force, reinforcing its robustness and technological capacity. Beyond replacing pilot training equipment that has been in operation for almost four decades, this acquisition also allows for the strengthening of new capabilities, namely in close air support in joint and/or combined operations, ensuring the armed protection of forces on the ground. In parallel, the air force reaffirms its position as a benchmark among its peer forces by operating the first A-29N Super Tucano with NATO configuration, guaranteeing Portugal a strategic advantage and a return for the national economy.”
Bosco da Costa Junior, president and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, added, “The delivery of the first A-29N Super Tucanos to the Portuguese Air Force strengthens and expands the strategic partnership established between the Portuguese State and Embraer through the KC-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft programme. 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 co-operation with the Portuguese defence industry.”
While the FAP’s A-29N purchase will provide it with a capable fleet of turboprop trainers that also offer a multi-role light attack capability, the FAP still needs to find a fast jet replacement for its Lockheed Martin F-16AM/BM fighters, of which around 25 remain in service. Although all of these aircraft have received a mid-life update, they were first delivered in 1994.
After the US Lockheed Martin F-35A initially looked to be favoured by the FAP, the Trump Administration’s exhibited disdain for Europe, combined with Portuguese defence budget pressures, would seem to present an opportunity for the Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen E/F or Dassault Rafale.
