The Uruguayan Air Force has taken delivery of its first two A-29 Super Tucano aircraft from Brazilian aerospace firm Embraer, part of a contract signed in 2024.
The deal covers a total of six aircraft, mission equipment, a flight simulator, and integrated logistics services that support the country’s efforts in renewing its fleet and modernizing operational capabilities, such as guarding its airspace and protecting its borders.
Embraer President and CEO Bosco da Costa Junior noted that the milestone “strengthens a partnership that has grown over more than 50 years, dating back to when Uruguay became the first international customer to acquire an Embraer aircraft.”
Uruguay is the sixth A-29 operator in South America, following Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Paraguay.
Multi-Mission Aircraft
In service with 22 air forces worldwide and having logged more than 600,000 hours, the A-29 Super Tucano is favored for its low operational costs and capability to operate from unpaved runways in harsh environments.
The A-29 can be used for a wide range of missions, including advanced pilot training, close air support, air patrol, air interdiction, joint terminal attack, border surveillance, air escort, as well as armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
In November 2025, Embraer carried out improvements on the Super Tucano.
It upgraded the aircraft to be capable of countering drone threats through the addition of new systems, such as an electro-optical/infrared sensor for laser tracking and designation, as well as laser-guided rockets and wing-mounted .50-caliber machine guns.
The Brazilian company also equipped the multi-mission aircraft with ILIAS Solutions’ software suite, which helps optimize maintenance, logistics, and data-driven decision-making for operators.
