Angolan Air Force buys six Super Tucano fighters

Angola’s Defence Ministry is negotiating with Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer for the purchase of six Super Tucano reconnaissance and patrol aircraft to boost its Air Force fleet, according to newspaper Novo.

The newspaper quoted military sources in stating that the deal was almost closed and would cost around US$62 million, a figure which could rise by a few more million for the aircraft to be fitted with military equipment.

In May 2005, during a visit to Brazil, President José Eduardo dos Santos agreed with his Brazilian counterpart Lula da Silva, the granting of a credit line of US$580 million to fund Angolan purchases of various equipment, including aircraft for commercial, executive and military purposes, built by Embraer.

At the time, Angola committed to paying via the provision of 20,000 barrels of oil per day.

The Super Tucano is a turboprop aircraft manufactured by Embraer for over 20 years and is used mainly for reconnaissance and patrol operations, built for two pilots and able to transport 1500 kilograms of military equipment.

On closing the deal, added newspaper Novo, Embraer boosts its presence in Angola, where it already has its 30-seat Embraer 128 model which appears in the fleets of small companies operating in the domestic market.


Source: Luanda, Angola, macauhub News | 04 Apr 2012 (macauhub.com.mo)

Photo: Embraer EMB-314B1 Super Tucano (lazygranch.com)

(4.04.2012)