The Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer continues to strive for armaments orders in Europe. At an armaments fair was therefore the A-29N presented. The N stands for NATO.
The A-29 is based on the EMB-314 Super Tucano, which was developed as a trainer and light combat aircraft. The designation A-29 got it when the US tested the Super Tucano as a ground attack aircraft for the Special Forces. Since then, the designation A-29 has usually been used for the armed variant, while EMB-314 usually means the unarmed version for pilot training and observation flights.
Adapted for Europe
According to Embraer, the NATO version was developed to meet the needs of European allies. This means that the two-seater can also be steered by a single pilot if required. In addition, the A-29N for data interfaces prepared to use the armies of NATO countries to coordinate joint operations.
About the JTAC (Joint Terminal Attack Controller) joint training missions between the armed forces of the NATO countries are possible. For training purposes, the A-29N has been upgraded to support virtual, augmented and mixed reality.
Embraer A-29
© Embraer
The A-29 is designed for ground attack
According to Embraer, the various versions of the A-29 were delivered a total of over 260 times to more than 15 countries. The advantages are low maintenance costs, high robustness and the possibility of being able to take off and land on unpaved runways.
Although at first glance the A-29 resembles a WWII fighter jet, it is equipped with modern weapons systems. As a result, it can be used not only for surveillance and reconnaissance, but also as a ground attack aircraft and for close-range support of ground forces.
she has 2 12.7mm machine guns built-in. Over 5 Hardpoints different weapons can be transported. These included pods for 20mm cannons or additional 12.7mm machine guns. To combat air targets, the AIM-9L Sidewinder or Python 4 Loading. Attacks on ground targets are carried out, among other things. with the rocket AGM-65 Maverickthe £500 Smart Bomb Mk 82 or the cluster bomb BLG-252. The A-29 can also drop laser-guided bombs.
Embraer A-29
© Embraer
Counterinsurgency aircraft
The basic version of an A-29 costs about $10 million. The A-29N will be more expensive, but Embraer did not name a price.
Even if Embraer always emphasizes the widespread use of the A-29, so far only one NATO country has been included: the USA. And she has only officially bought 7 pieces so far, 6 of which are for the Special Forces. There they are used for air support for special ground troops.
The other countries, such as Lebanon, Nigeria and Brazil, mainly use the A-29 as COIN plane. That stands for Counterinsurgency – in German counterinsurgency. The A-29 is therefore primarily used against enemy forces that do not have an air force themselves and only have low air defense capabilities.
Embraer A-29
© Embraer
Who needs a COIN plane in Europe?
In most NATO or EU countries, COIN aircraft are actually not necessary. Embraer is likely to speculate that European countries want to upgrade their air forces because of the threat to Russia and the lessons learned from the Ukraine war.
The A-29 is comparatively cheap and does not need a paved runway – in case Russia has shot up the runways with cruise missiles. If you deny Russia air supremacy by your own air defense, you could fly bomb attacks on Russian units with the A-29 – even if they are involved in the city battle with your own troops.
What speaks against this scenario is that Russia is also learning its lessons from the Ukraine war. The high use of drones on both sides has ensured that stationary and mobile air defense has gained in importance and is used intensively on the battlefield accordingly. The A-29 is also included Flares and chaff equipped to dodge missiles – the lack of stealth characteristics and the maximum speed of “only” 590 km/hcompared to modern jets, still makes them a rather easy target for modern anti-aircraft systems.
Embraer A-29
© Embraer
Possible combo offer
In order to make the A-29N palatable to European countries, Embraer could use the transport aircraft KC-390 draw as a joker. It has already been ordered by Hungary, the Netherlands and Portugal – France, the Czech Republic and Austria are interested in purchasing it. Discounts could be offered here, or a cheaper combo package if A-29Ns were ordered in addition to the KC-390s.
In Austria, the A-29N could be about the Pilatus PC-7 substitute. The propeller aircraft, which has been built in Switzerland since 1977, is also a mixture of training aircraft and light attack aircraft. It still serves its purpose as a training aircraft, for tactical missions the army version is outdated from today’s perspective.
