Panama acquires four Embraer A-29 Super Tucano aircraft
Embraer has signed a contract with Panama for the purchase of four A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, which will be operated by the Panamanian National Air and Naval Service (SENAN) as a new platform for surveillance and protection.
No financial details of the transaction have been disclosed. However, in January 2025, the Panamanian government announced that it was preparing the acquisition of four A-29 aircraft for a total value of $78.2 million.
“It is an honor for Embraer to see another Latin American country choose the A-29 Super Tucano to leverage its surveillance, reconnaissance and protection capabilities,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. “Panama’s choice of the Super Tucano, a world leader in its category, will certainly serve as a strong ally to support the country in its mission to maintain national sovereignty.”
Expanding SENAN’s capabilities
SENAN (Servicio Nacional Aeronaval) was created in 2008 through the merger of Panama’s air and maritime services. It currently operates a small fleet of fixed-wing patrol aircraft, including de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otters, Piper PA-31 Navajos and Beechcraft King Air 100s, alongside helicopters such as the Bell 412 and UH-1H ‘Huey II’.
Until now, SENAN has relied on its Twin Otters and King Airs for unarmed maritime and border patrol missions, while helicopters have provided rapid response and limited interdiction capability. The introduction of the A-29 Super Tucano will mark a significant change, giving SENAN its first dedicated armed surveillance and attack aircraft.
Equipped with two wing-mounted .50 caliber machine guns and capable of carrying precision-guided munitions, rockets, and additional gun pods, the A-29 adds an offensive capability lacked by SENAN’s existing fixed-wing fleet. This will enable Panama not only to monitor its territory, but also to take direct action against illicit flights and maritime smuggling operations.
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Latin America’s proven choice
This agreement makes Panama the eighth Latin American nation to adopt the Super Tucano, joining Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay and the Dominican Republic.
The A-29 has become a regional standard for light attack and surveillance missions. Colombia has employed the aircraft extensively in counterinsurgency and counter-narcotics campaigns.
The aircraft also plays a central role in Operation Ostium, an airspace surveillance and interdiction campaign launched in 2017 and still active today. Under Ostium, Brazilian Air Force Super Tucanos fly round-the-clock patrols to intercept illicit flights, often working alongside E-99 radar aircraft and ground-based sensors.
With its ability to operate from short or unpaved runways, long endurance, and low operating costs, the A-29 has become particularly suited to Latin America’s security environment.
Global footprint of the Super Tucano
The Embraer A-29 Super Tucano has accumulated more than 600,000 flight hours and has been selected by 22 air forces worldwide. The aircraft is recognized for its robustness, low operating costs and flexibility, allowing it to perform a wide variety of missions. These include air patrol, special operations, ISR, tactical coordination, air escort and pilot training from basic to advanced levels.
On September 1, 2025, the first three of 12 Embraer A-29N Super Tucanos arrived in Portugal to undergo modification and receive the necessary equipment to operate in accordance with NATO requirements.The post Panama acquires four Embraer A-29 Super Tucano aircraft appeared first on AeroTime.
Embraer has signed a contract with Panama for the purchase of four A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, which will…
The post Panama acquires four Embraer A-29 Super Tucano aircraft appeared first on AeroTime.
