Super Tucano
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On June 17, 2005, DID noted that Embraer had presented the only bid for a $234.5 million contract to sell 22 light combat/ counter-insurgency aircraft to Colombia. There was some question whether the long-delayed purchase would go ahead, but Embraer recently announced a $235 million contract with the Government of Colombia for the sale of 25 Super Tucano light attack & counter-insurgency aircraft.

Although the AT-27 EMB 312 Tucano is in service with 10 air forces, this marks the first sale of the upgraded Super Tucano/ALX variant beyond Brazil’s 99 plane order. The Colombian Air Force (FAC) currently operates 14 Tucano basic training aircraft that were purchased in the 1990s, and the Super Tucanos will be operated by Colombia’s Air Force in internal security and border patrol missions. This contract also includes a comprehensive logistics and systems training package, with a full flight simulator.

UPDATES…

• Elbit’s Avionics will have the same prominent role in Colombia’s Super Tucanos as they do in Brazil’s. Elbit Systems’ share of the project is expected to be worth approximately $17 Million, including the logistics support package. Delivery will take place during 2006 and 2007.

• Colbombia’s aircraft will have one thing Brazil’s don’t, however – Jane’s reports that they’ll be equipped with a FLIR Systems BRITE Star multi-sensor laser designator/ rangefinder or a similar Star SAFIRE III system, a different self-protection system, and other changes. The aircraft will also carry laser-guided bombs.

• The Czechs are very directly touting their surplus L-159 Albatross light attack jets at the Colombian market. The L-159 has a slightly different top-end capability set than the Super Tucano/ALX, but there is a great deal of overlap. Complementary similarity to address Colombia’s predominant mission set – or too much duplication to ever hope for a sale?