Brazil To Sell 3 Pre-owned Super Tucano Aircraft To Nigeria

Brazil has approved the sale of its three serviceable pre-owned Super Tucano A-29 attack aircraft to Nigeria.

The acquisition of this aircraft by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is expected to boost its operational capabilities in tackling insurgence and militancy in the country. 

Besides its deployment for Surveillance, Reconnaissance and counter-insurgency missions, the aircraft could also carry a wide array of armaments, including precision guided monitors, advance avionic, communications and sensors.

Moreover, the aircraft can also operate in remote and un-paved airfield while the maximum speed of the aircraft is approximately 590 kilometres per hour.

The Embraer Contract Negotiator, Mr Eneias de Souza Freitas said, “the Brazilian Ministry of Defence has informed them that it has approved the sale of 3 Super Tucano A-29 aircraft to Nigeria.

Brazil has authorized its Air Force to transfer the aircraft to Embraer Defence and Security, for onward delivering to the Nigerian Air Force.

Mr Freitas further said that the legal requirement and procedures were being finalized by the Brazilian Air Force while promising to facilitate the legal process “this is of concerned to us, we will for sure take your message back to the people with the legal procedures to quicken the process.” Mr Freitas said.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) said that the idea of the NAF to acquire Super Tucano A-29 aircraft was mooted in 2015 and appropriated in the 2016 Budget.

He urged the company to facilitate the procurement process to enable the NAF take delivering of the aircraft within reasonable time.

A team of NAF officers would visit Brazil to further inspect the aircraft. Nigeria also intends to purchase new Super Tucano A-29 aircraft from the US.

Mr Freitas was accompanied by the Embraer Director of Business Development, Europe and Africa, Mr Jose Gustavo.