Panama prepares to acquire four A-29 Super Tucanos and two Airbus C295s
The government of Panama has announced that it is preparing to acquire two Airbus C295 turboprop transport aircraft and four Embraer A-29 Super Tucano close air support aircraft.
According to an official statement released on Monday, “There is no war or combat objective within the specifications that Panama has required in the purchase of these aircraft to replace the existing fleet, which is made up of around 14 aircraft dating from the 1980s and whose maintenance represents high costs for the Panamanian State of around US$10 million per year.”
The two agreements are expected to total US$187 million, with US$78 million for the Super Tucanos and US$109.2 million for the two Airbuses.
The two C295s will be used for humanitarian aid, surveillance, search and rescue, reconnaissance and maritime patrol missions, among other missions.
The A-29s, which have combat capabilities, are expected to be operated in border air patrols and to curb drug trafficking, currently the responsibility of the National Border Service and the Panamanian National Police.
Currently, Panama has a mix of aircraft in use, including King Air, Cessna 208, Casa C212 and DHC DH-6 Twin Otter models, as well as several helicopters.
Panama has not maintained an armed forces since the 1989 U.S. invasion that overthrew General Manuel Noriega.
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