Philippines Air Force Receives Six Super Tucano Aircraft from Embraer

All six Super Tucano aircraft ordered by The Philippine Air Force (PAF) have been officially handed over today.

The aircraft will be deployed for close air support, light attack, surveillance, air-to-air interception, counter-insurgency missions, advanced training and are part of PAF’s ongoing modernization plan.

“The addition of these close air support aircraft is a great leap in our air power capability as we soar together in our flight to a more capable and credible Air Force for the nation and its people,” Lieutenant General Allen T. Paredes AFP, Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force said.

These aircraft will be operated and maintained by the 15th Strike Wing, the PAF’s end-user. In November 2017, a firm order of six A-29 Super Tucano light attack and advanced training aircraft for the Philippine Air Force (PAF) was made after a comprehensive public bidding process.

The A-29 Super Tucano is a powerful turboprop aircraft capable of carrying out a wide range of missions, even operating from improvised runways.

The Philippines has been facing insurgency and theft of its fisheries resources. The low-flying Super Tucanos are effective against lightly-armed insurgents and pirates. They can be used for land and maritime patrol and attack against poorly defenced ground targets.