Africa Sales Of A-29 Super Tucano Fetches Embraer More Than $180 Million

Embraer Defense and Security announced today that it has signed contracts with three African nations for the acquisition of the A-29 Super Tucano light attack and advanced training turboprop. The Burkina Faso Air Force, the first operator of this model in Africa, has already received three aircraft that are used on border patrol missions. The Angola Air Force has acquired six of this aircraft for the same mission, and the first three will be delivered in 2012. Also, the Air Force of Mauritania chose the A-29 Super Tucano to carry out counter-insurgency missions. The total value of the contracts including an extensive logistical, training, and replacement parts package adds up to more than USD 180 million. The Super Tucano is highly efficient and presents low operating costs. Its capability for surveillance and counter-insurgency missions makes it ideal for service on the continent of Africa, said Luiz Carlos Aguiar, President, Embraer Defense and Security. With more than 130,000 flight hours and over 18,000 combat hours, the A-29 Super Tucano is equipped with the very latest avionics technology, including night vision, Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) system with laser aim, secure communications and data link package, as well as an unequalled weapons capacity, which makes it highly effective and gives the aircraft an excellent cost-benefit ratio.