Brazilian manufacturer to start delivery of six attack planes to PAF in 2019

Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. on Friday announced that it will start to deliver six attack planes for the Philippine Air Force starting 2019.

Embraer said that it had a firm order of six A-29 Super Tucano light attack and advanced training aircraft from the PAF.

The aircraft will be deployed for close air support, light attack, surveillance, air-to-air interception, and counterinsurgency missions, Embraer said.

"After a comprehensive public bidding process participated by several manufacturers from around the globe and complying with the stringent evaluation processes the Super Tucano was selected as part of the PAF’s ongoing modernization plan," the Brazilian aircraft maker said.

Embraer is the winning bidder of the PAF's P4.9-billion contract for the six close-air support aircraft.

“We are honored to be selected by the Philippine Air Force, our second operator in the Asia-Pacific region, and with the confidence expressed by our customer”, Jackson Schneider, president and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, said.

“The Super Tucano is the best light attack aircraft in the market and we are confident that it will accomplish with excellence the missions it was selected for," Schneider said.

The A-29 Super Tucano is a durable, versatile and powerful turboprop aircraft capable of carrying out a wide range of missions, even operating from unimproved runways, according to Embraer.

Embraer is a global company headquartered in Brazil with businesses in commercial and executive aviation, defense & security. The company designs, develops, manufactures and markets aircraft and systems, providing customer support and services. —NB, GMA News