Philippines formally accepts new A-29B Super Tucano close air support aircraft

PAF A-29B Super Tucano during acceptance on 13 October 2020. Photo c/o AFPPIO.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has formally accepted six (6) new A-29B Super Tucano light attack aircraft delivered by Brazilian aerospace company Embraer, during ceremonies held on 13 October 2020 at Clark Air Base in Pampanga province.

Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Gilbert Gapay, and PAF commander Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes led the acceptance and induction ceremonies, which was also attended by representatives from Embraer and the Brazilian government.

The new aircraft were assigned with the PAF’s 16th Attack Squadron, 15th Strike Wing, and will be flying together with the unit’s Aermacchi SF-260TP armed trainers, and augment the Rockwell OV-10 Bronco attack aircraft of the 17th Attack Squadron.

According to MaxDefense Philippines, 3 of the aircraft are equipped with the L3Harris Wescam MX-15 forward looking infra-red (FLIR) sensor which can be used for reconnaissance and surveillance, and lacing laser guided bombs. All 6 aircraft were also seen with cockpit side armor plates.

6 aircraft were ordered  under a Php5 billion (US$100 million) contract as part of the PAF’s Close Air Support Aircraft project, which aims to replace retired aircraft and improve the ground support and strike capability of the PAF.

Secretary Lorenzana also mentioned that another 6 units could be ordered again from Embraer, which could allow the retirement of older air assets.

The Embraer A-29B Super Tucano is one of the most capable turboprop-powered close air support aircraft in the world, which has short take off and landing capability, and is able to operate from unpaved runways.

It can deliver a variety of air launched munitions including laser guided and standard unguided bombs, guided and unguided rockets, and short-range air-to-air missiles. It also has two wing-mounted internal 12.7mm machine guns and can also be equipped with sensors and mission pods.



[1] Armed Forces of the Philippines
[2] Inquirer.net
[3] Philippine Defense Resource