Embraer has announced a firm order of six A-29 Super Tucano light attack and advanced training aircraft for the Philippine Air Force (PAF). Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2019.
Embraer has announced a firm order of six A-29 Super Tucano light attack and advanced training aircraft for the Philippine Air Force (PAF) as part of the PAF’s ongoing modernization plan. The aircraft will be operated and maintained by the PAF's 15th Strike Wing.
The PAF Super Tucanos will be deployed for close air support, light attack, surveillance, air-to-air interception, and counterinsurgency missions. Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2019.
The Philippines becomes the second Super Tucano customer in the Asia-Pacific region after Indonesia, which has acquired 16 aircraft. The Super Tucano has been selected by 14 air forces worldwide to date.
In related news, the U.S. Air Force’s A-29 Afghanistan Program recently ordered six additional Super Tucanos, bringing its total order to 26 aircraft, including the initial batch of 20 aircraft odered in 2013. The aircraft are delivered to the U.S. Air Force for its Light Air Support (LAS) programme to support the stability of Afghanistan as it assumes increased responsibility for security with the redeployment of NATO forces.
Orders for these aircraft are channeled through U.S. partner Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC). The aircraft are produced at Embraer's facility in Jacksonville, Florida.