The Paraguayan Air Force has officially taken delivery of four A-29 Super Tucano light attack and advanced trainer aircraft from Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer, marking the service’s most significant airpower acquisition in nearly four decades.
The aircraft were handed over during a formal induction ceremony held at an airbase near the capital, Asunción, attended by senior military officials and government representatives.
“This delivery is more than just a logistical reinforcement—it represents a decisive step toward the modernization of our operational capabilities,” said Air Force Commander General Julio Fullaondo during the ceremony. He noted that the A-29’s state-of-the-art avionics, surveillance systems, and combat readiness will significantly bolster Paraguay’s air patrol, reconnaissance, and rapid response capabilities.
The acquisition is part of a broader initiative to upgrade the country’s aging air fleet and enhance its ability to combat transnational organized crime. In July 2024, Paraguay signed a contract with Embraer for six Super Tucano aircraft. The remaining two aircraft are expected to be delivered in the coming months.
This marks the most substantial addition to Paraguay’s air combat capabilities since it received six EMB-312 Tucano aircraft in the 1980s, several of which are still in active service.
The A-29 Super Tucano, widely used across Latin America and Africa, is known for its performance in counterinsurgency and internal security operations. It offers advanced training features, precision strike capability, and low operational costs—making it a suitable platform for Paraguay’s evolving defense needs.
Javeria Sajid is an Aerospace Engineering student from NUST with a background in technology and a sharp focus on the global political landscape and defence innovation. She writes to make complex defence technologies understandable, and aspires to bridge journalism, policy, and engineering in her work.
