New aircraft will increase surveillance and airspace defence capacity
The incorporation of six A-29 Super Tucano aircraft into the Air Force was described as historic by the Minister of National Defense, Armando Castaingdebat, because the country had not acquired aircraft since 1981. The minister indicated that the contract with the Brazilian company Embraer responds to the commitment to strengthen, recover and modernize the operational capacity of the Armed Forces.
Castaingdebat reported, in a press conference, that, in the meeting held with the President of the Republic, Luis Lacalle Pou, they discussed the national government’s acquisition of six new A-29 Super Tucano aircraft for the Uruguayan Air Force (FAU).
The leader was accompanied by Foreign Minister Omar Paganini; the Commander-in-Chief of the FAU, Luis Héber De León; the Brazilian ambassador to Uruguay, Marcos Raposo, and the Vice President of Embraer, Fabio Caparica.
“Today, Uruguay and the Air Force are experiencing a historic day, (because) since 1981 the country has not acquired new combat aircraft,” Castaingdebat said.
The official stressed that the initiative is based on a commitment by President Lacalle Pou to strengthen, recover and modernize the operational potential of the Armed Forces. In this case, he acknowledged that the air force “was at the limit of its capacity.” He added that the acquisition also responds to a “country definition” of protecting, strengthening and shielding the borders against illicit trafficking and drug trafficking. In addition, he considered that the action will contribute to “returning the motivation” to many young people to enter the Air Force.
The Brazilian manufacturer Embraer will begin delivering the aircraft in 2025 and for the next two years, the base will be at the Durazno airport. The investment was in the order of 104 million dollars and the negotiation included a simulator and an integrated logistics package. Uruguay thus joins a group of Latin American countries that use these aircraft, made up of Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Paraguay.
Paganini, for his part, said that the country’s defense “is fundamental for its autonomy as a sovereign and independent nation.” The acquisition, he said, is part of the essence of a modern state, which monitors its airspace with the necessary type of platform, such as the one provided by these aircraft.
He also indicated that the operation represents a milestone in the bilateral relationship with Brazil, promoted by the presidents of both countries and that it joins others, such as the projects of the binational airport in Rivera, the second bridge over the Yaguarón River, between the northern city of the same name and the Uruguayan city of Río Branco, and the dredging of the San Gonzalo canal, which connects the Merín and Patos lagoons. He pointed out that, with the “sister countries” of Argentina and Brazil, Uruguay is going through a very favorable situation that, he considered, must be deepened.
Meanwhile, De León stressed the concept of “security in the defense of airspace” and the advance that this represents in technological capacity, which will allow for improved control of airspace and borders. He indicated that these planes can intercept low-performance aircraft that are currently “harassing” the country.
He added that the FAU encourages new generations to develop with the technology provided by this efficient model. The acquisition includes a flight simulator, unique in the region, which will also allow forces from other countries to carry out their training in Uruguay.
The official also reported that there are only two pilots in the country trained to fly A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, so others will be trained in the coming months. The equipment also includes an electro-optical system for border control, which will support units on the ground, he concluded.
