With a series of major acquisitions announced, the Philippines is showing its efforts to become the leading air force in the region
Among these, it is worth mentioning the purchase package of 6 A-29B "Super Tucano"
In late 2017, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana signed the contract for the acquisition of 6 Embraer Super Tucano
to fulfill the Close Air Support Aircraft acquisition project as included in the AFP Modernization Program's Horizon 1 phase
On 13 October 2020, six A-29B Super Tucanos were turned over to the PAF
They were inducted with the 16th Attack Squadron, 15th Strike Wing
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana eyes acquisition of six more A-29B Super Tucano close-air support aircraft to boost the number on PAF inventory
By 2024 the airforce intends to operate 24 aircraft, which can equip two squadrons
12 aircraft are to be delivered by 2022, and six by 2024
This will allow the airforce to use them in the close air support, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and light attack missions
Most recently, the newly acquired Embraer A-29B "Super Tucano" squadron has officially moved to its new home
at the Major Danilo Atienza Air Base in Sangley Point, Cavite City in October 2021
Four of the A-29B close-support attack aircraft arrived in the country on Sept. 19, 2020, while the remaining two arrived on October 1 of the same year
The A-29s are an addition and will gradually replace the aging Philippine OV-10 Bronco
The attack aircraft are expected to beef up the Philippine Air Force
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
To date, the Super Tucano was selected by 14 air forces worldwide
The light attack aircraft was designed and built by Embraer as a development of the Embraer EMB 312 Tucano
The A-29 Super Tucano carries a wide variety of weapons, including precision-guided munitions
and was designed to be a low-cost system operated in low-threat environments
In addition to its manufacture in Brazil, Embraer has set up a production line in the United States
in conjunction with Sierra Nevada Corporation for the manufacture of A-29s to export customers