Philippines Chooses the Super Tucano
- December 1, 2017, 7:15 AM
The Philippine air force is the second customer for the Super Tucano in Asia. (Embraer)
Embraer has announced a
firm order for six A-29 Super Tucano light attack and training aircraft from
the Philippines Air Force (PAF). The Brazilian turboprop aircraft was the only
one shortlisted after it was identified last June as the sole compliant bidder
for the PAF’s Close Air Support program. The unsuccessful contenders were the
Aero Vodochody L-39NG jet and the Textron Beechcraft AT-6 turboprop. Local
reports estimate the deal to be worth 4.9 billion pesos ($97.4 million).
Deliveries will begin in
2019, making the PAF the second Super Tucano operator in Asia, after the
Indonesian Air Force. The PAF’s 15th Strike Wing will fly the aircraft, which
will replace the PAF’s Rockwell OV-10B Broncos. They have been providing aerial
support in the government’s re-taking of Marawi city on the southern island of
Mindanao, which was occupied by Muslim extremists for six months until October
this year.
“The contract includes
initial logistics support as well as the set-up of a training system for pilots
and mechanics,” said an Embraer spokesman. He added that Asia-Pacific is “a
promising market” for the Super Tucano.
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