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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. This contract includes a comprehensive logistics and systems training package, with a full flight simulator.
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 armed Tucano training aircraft that were purchased in the 1990s, and the EMB-314 Super Tucano will also serve with the Fuerza Aerea Colombiana in internal security and border patrol missions.
UPDATES…
* A Super Tucano is shot down on July 12/12, during operations against the FARC.
* The final aircraft was delivered in August 2008. Source.
* 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.
Additional Readings
* SLD (Feb 18/13) – Colombia Battles the FARC: Turboprops Provide Key Tools
* 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? The latter, apparently.
