Portugal has finalized a €200 million deal with Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer to acquire 12 A-29N Super Tucano aircraft.
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.
This variant includes avionics tailored to NATO standards and is compatible with a wide range of weapons systems already in service across member countries. Embraer introduced the A-29N in 2023, aiming to meet the specific operational needs of NATO allies.
The acquisition addresses a longstanding capability gap in Portugal’s air fleet. Since the retirement of its Alpha Jet A aircraft in January 2018 — which had been purchased second-hand from Germany’s Luftwaffe in 1993 — the Portuguese Air Force has lacked a platform dedicated to advanced training and tactical support missions.
The decision to acquire the Super Tucano was foreshadowed in July 2024, when Portugal’s Council of Ministers began technical and financial discussions with Embraer. The agreement makes Portugal the first European nation to purchase the Super Tucano, marking a significant milestone for Embraer’s presence in the region.
Embraer, which has long-standing ties with Portugal through its OGMA facilities, sees the deal as a springboard for expanding its footprint in Europe. The company also supports the C-390 Millennium, a military transport aircraft in service with Portugal and other nations.