The rhk111 Military and Arms Page: Philippines signs Contract for six more Super Tucanos, delivery to start in 2026

The Inquirer News Publication reported that the Commander of the 15th Strike Wing of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), Brigadier General Juliano Llarenas said during the recent Decommissioning Ceremony of their OV-10 Bronco Aircraft and AH-1S Cobra Helicopter that a Contract has already been signed last December 27, 2024 for an additional six A-29 Super Tucano Aircraft for the PAF.

Gen. Llarenas also said that, I quote, "Hopefully the Notice to Proceed will be issued today (meaning December 28, 2024 which was the time of the Interview)", end quote. Incidentally, the Manufacturer of the Super Tucano, the Brazilian Company "Embraer SA" made a Press Release several Days after Llarenas' Interview announcing that a "Firm Order" has been made for six of their A-29 Aircraft, but did not name the Customer.

Based on the recent Developments, I think it is now very likely that particular order were the same Super Tucanos that Gen. Llarenas was talking about since the timing of the Events was very close to each other.

Embraer also said in their Press Release that the order has been included in their Backlog of Production of the fourth Quarter of the Year 2024, and that Deliveries of the Aircraft will start in 2026.

This is very good News indeed for the PAF, but what I don’t understand is why Embraer didn’t name the Customer as the Philippines in the first Place. This is likely due to a request by their Customer the Philippines itself. But who exactly in the Philippines told them that, and why?

I think a high ranking Official or Officials in the Department of National Defense (DND) and/or Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) made that decision, or else Embraer would not have followed it. But again, why the Secrecy? What did they hope to get out of it?

An Advantage over China? Really? What Advantage would we there be with the acquisition of half a dozen Propeller-driven Aircraft against a World Military Superpower like China? Meanwhile, they can’t stop talking to the Press about getting the Typhon Mid-Range Capability (MRC) with its Tomahawk Missiles that can reach China even when fired from Luzon.

At any rate, congratulations to the PAF on the acquisition of these new Assets, as far as I know there has been nothing but positive Feedback about our acquisition of the first Batch of six Super Tucano Aircraft. Once the delivery is completed, the Philippines will have a total of a dozen or twelve A-29 Aircraft in its Inventory.

SOURCES:

* PAF to get 6 Light Attack Planes after retiring old Broncos, Choppers {Archived Link}

* Embraer Facebook Page Post, 12/30/24 - 2006H {Archived Link}

* Embraer announces a Firm Order for six A-29 Super Tucanos from an undisclosed Customer {Archived Link}

Check out the Links to my other Social Media Accounts at https://linktr.ee/rhk111

Don’t forget to click on the Ads or to donate to help support this Website.