DefensePhilippines confirms order for six additional A-29 Super Tucanos
The Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed on November 28 during budget hearings that it has ordered six new Embraer A-29 Super Tucano aircraft for the Philippine Air Force (PAF). The acquisition follows public disclosure of a previously unidentified customer order announced by Embraer in December 2024.
The procurement was discussed in the context of ongoing defense debates, with Senator Raffy Tulfo questioning the necessity of additional counterinsurgency aircraft and suggesting a focus on external defense platforms such as the FA-50.
Despite these concerns, defense officials maintained the relevance of the Super Tucano to the country’s security needs.
The Department of National Defense presented its Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) last year, emphasizing the development of capabilities to safeguard national territory and the exclusive economic zone.
The A-29s support the Air Force’s day-to-day work in counterinsurgency, close air support, and pilot training, giving crews an aircraft that can spot targets, respond quickly, and operate from shorter runways across the islands.
Brigadier Juliano Llarenas, commander of the PAF’s 15th Strike Wing, confirmed plans to expand the Super Tucano fleet to twelve aircraft. The PAF currently operates six A-29s, with six more ordered to strengthen mission readiness.
After a three-year hiatus, Embraer has once again won new orders for the Super Tucano, including clients such as Paraguay, Uruguay, Panama, Portugal and an African country whose name has not yet been revealed.
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