At the Farnborough International Airshow, the Brazilian company Embraer announced a few hours ago the sale of six A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft to the Paraguayan Air Force. The formalization of this sale came after the President of Paraguay and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Santiago Peña, signed decrees 2162, 2163, and 2165 authorizing the acquisition.
As previously reported by Zona Militar, these decrees from the Paraguayan executive were urgent due to “…the exceptional nature, as they involve military equipment and armaments for exclusive use, and the law allows us to do this,” detailed General (Ret.) Óscar González, Minister of National Defense, to the media.
The Paraguayan Defense Minister also informed Zona Militar that “…The cost will be $96,681,379 USD and will be financed through a loan from the Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social of Brazil. The need for these aircraft is urgent because our airspace is completely unprotected from irregular flights.”
According to Embraer, deliveries of the first A-29 Super Tucanos are expected to begin in 2025, including mission equipment and an integrated logistics package.
Fabio Caparica, Vice President of Sales for Latin America at Embraer Defense & Security, expressed at Farnborough, “…We are honored by the Paraguayan Air Force’s decision and very pleased to announce a new sale of the A-29 Super Tucano, an aircraft that sets the benchmark in its segment in the international market. We are confident that the A-29 meets the current and future needs of the Paraguayan Air Force.”
Meanwhile, General del Aire Júlio Rubén Fullaondo Céspedes, Commander of the Paraguayan Air Force, highlighted the importance of acquiring the A-29 Super Tucano, stating, “…Defense is a pure public good, providing society with a service that contributes solely to the nation’s stability as an essential element for comprehensive development. This has a positive impact not only on issues related to the exercise of national sovereignty but also across all areas of development. The Paraguayan Air Force has the constitutional mission to ensure territorial integrity and effectively exercise sovereignty over the airspace, addressing new threats such as combating drug trafficking and transnational organized crime. To confront emerging threats, we are in the process of modernizing our air assets and detection capabilities, aiming to meet technological standards that enable us to correctly implement measures established in Paraguay’s Air Surveillance and Protection Law, effectively contributing to the preservation of regional and international peace and security.”
It’s worth noting that Embraer presented its offer to the Paraguayan government in February this year for the sale of six A-29 Super Tucano attack aircraft, along with the modernization of six EMB 312 Tucano aircraft. The formalization by the Brazilian company coincided with the commemoration of the 101st anniversary of the creation of the Military Aviation School of the Paraguayan Air Force.
Embraer’s proposal aligns with the requirements and plans of Paraguay’s Ministry of National Defense to modernize its Armed Forces. General (Ret.) Óscar González previously stated to Zona Militar, “…We need aircraft for the Air Force, technology for all branches of the Armed Forces, armored vehicles for the Army, weaponry, and vessels for the Navy; all possible resources to effectively fulfill our constitutional mission…”
President Santiago Peña of Paraguay projected an investment of $500 million USD for the coming years in security and re-equipping the Armed Forces in his latest management report. When asked about this announcement and whether the funds requested from lawmakers would directly go towards radar and aircraft acquisition plans, Minister of National Defense responded to Zona Militar, “…The acquisition of the Super Tucanos and radars is very advanced; soon the President will announce the financing source.”
Details of the purchase for the Paraguayan Air Force include a comprehensive package: flight kits, communication equipment, night flight capabilities, a flyer camera, weapon systems, vision planning and training software, one-year logistical support, maintenance equipment and tools, a technical representative from Embraer for a year, training for 8 pilots and 12 mechanics, and a 12-month warranty.
Image source: Embraer
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