Paraguay has signed for a loan from the Brazilian National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) to purchase six A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft for its air force.
The 600-million-reais ($103.8 million) resolution was approved through Paraguay’s Presidential decree and backed by the government’s defense as well as economy and finance agencies, according to a report from Reuters.
Addressing the deal at a multinational summit in Rio de Janeiro, BNDES said that the aircraft acquisition will bolster “the strategic partnership between Brazil and Paraguay” and aid the latter to “strengthen its technological capacity in the fight against narco-terrorism.”
Paraguayan President Santiago Peña also commented that their overall Super Tucano project will enable the nation to “regain control of its airspace after decades.”
“I have authorized the signing of the loan contract for the acquisition of aircraft with cutting-edge technology, essential to strengthen our air defence and firmly confront narcoterrorism,” Aerospace Global News quoted Peña.
“This decision reflects our unwavering commitment to national security and sovereignty. We will not give up in this fight; we will face every challenge with all our strength and determination.”
Acquisition Progress
Super Tucano developer Embraer revealed the Paraguayan Air Force’s plan to adopt the fighter jet in July.
In addition to drug interdiction tasks, the São Paulo-based firm explained that the plane will be deployed for “conducting armed reconnaissance and close air support missions.”
One month later, Embraer signed a contract to deliver up to six A-29s to Paraguay, corresponding mission equipment, logistics services, and a flight simulator.
The arrival of the first aircraft is scheduled for 2025.
Embraer’s Super Tucano Combat System
Introduced in 2003, the A-29 Super Tucano was Embraer’s upgrade to its 1980s-era AT-27 Tucano aircraft.
The Super Tucano is powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprop engine with 1,604 horsepower and a five-bladed Hartzell propeller for a top speed of 320 knots (593 kilometers/368 miles per hour), a range of 720 nautical miles (1,333 kilometers/829 miles), and altitude of 10,668 meters (35,000 feet).
Its fuselage and wingspan both measure 11 meters (36 feet). The plane can be equipped with machine guns, cannons, rockets, incendiary, cluster, and precision-guided bombs, as well as air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles.
The system’s avionics consist of night vision solutions, computerized attack modes, advanced communication links, and navigation systems, a laser threat finder, high-quality imaging devices, and training and operation support configurations.