Portuguese Air Force Welcomes First Super Tucanos for NATO-Standard Modernization

On 25 August 2025, the first two Força Aérea Portuguesa (FAP, Portuguese Air Force) A-29N Super Tucano light attack and counter-insurgency aircraft officially began their delivery flight to OGMA, Portugal.

The aircraft—registered PT-CXA and PT-CYV—took off from Embraer’s facility in Gavião Peixoto, Brazil, marking the start of their transatlantic journey. Once at OGMA, they will undergo fitting and modifications to bring them up to NATO operational standards, including secure datalinks, encrypted radios, SATCOM, and GPS systems.

This delivery follows the contract signed on 16 December 2024, when Portugal agreed to purchase 12 A-29N aircraft (with an option for 4 more), along with a flight simulator and a logistics support package. The deal is valued at €200 million (USD 210 million).

The A-29N is a NATO-standard variant of the proven Embraer EMB-314 Super Tucano, specifically tailored for European defense environments. Importantly, the project emphasizes Portuguese industrial participation, with OGMA and other domestic companies playing a central role in assembly, integration, and sustainment.

The aircraft will eventually be operated by Esquadra 103 (Esq103) “Caracóis”, the unit formerly flying the Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet until its retirement in 2018.

For Esq103, the arrival of the Super Tucano represents a renaissance of advanced pilot training and light attack capability. The A-29N will allow the squadron to perform a wide range of missions, from close air support (CAS) and counter-insurgency to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and JTAC training.

Portugal expects a phased delivery schedule, with the full fleet of 12 aircraft arriving between 2027 and 2028. This two-to-three-year rollout ensures sufficient time for integration, pilot training, and system certification.

The departure of PT-CXA and PT-CYV from Brazil is more than a simple delivery—it is the beginning of a new era for the Portuguese Air Force. With NATO-standard systems, industrial participation, and versatile mission profiles, the A-29N Super Tucano will serve as a cornerstone for training and light combat operations well into the next decade.

By late 2025, Portugal’s skies will host the first A-29Ns of Esquadra 103, ushering in a historic modernization for both FAP and NATO’s southern flank.

Russia to Supply Su-34s to Algeria?

The geopolitical balance of airpower in North Africa could be on the verge of a significant shift. Emerging open-source intelligence indicates that Algeria may soon become the first export customer for Russia’s Su-34 Fullback fighter-bomber, a development with major implications for regional security and strategic strike capabilities.

From Long-Standing Interest to Possible Delivery

Reports of Algeria’s interest in the Su-34 date back nearly a decade. In 2016, negotiations were rumored for the acquisition of around 14 aircraft as part of a broader modernization program. The North African nation has already demonstrated its willingness to invest in high-performance Russian platforms, most recently inducting Su-35 Flanker-E multirole fighters into service.

The latest clue came from Russia’s Zhukovsky airfield, where an Su-34M was photographed wearing a desert camouflage scheme not seen in Russian service. This livery, combined with export-specific configurations, has fueled speculation that the aircraft is bound for Algeria.

The Su-34: Russia’s Tactical Bomber Workhorse

Derived from the Su-27 Flanker family, the Su-34 is designed for deep strike missions with precision-guided munitions, while retaining strong air-to-air defensive capabilities.

The Su-34M variant, which Algeria is likely to receive, incorporates improved avionics, new weapons integration, enhanced survivability systems, and compatibility with modern targeting pods.

If deliveries are confirmed, Algeria would gain long-range strike capability unmatched in the Maghreb region. The Su-34’s combination of payload, range, and precision would allow the Algerian Air Force to project power across vast distances—covering all of North Africa, parts of Southern Europe, and deep into the Sahel.

This capability complements the air superiority role of the newly inducted Su-35s, creating a high-low mix of heavy strike and air dominance platforms.

The acquisition would elevate Algeria’s deterrence posture against potential adversaries, strengthen Russia-Algeria defense ties amid Moscow’s pivot towards non-NATO arms markets, potentially drive modernization races among neighboring air forces, particularly Morocco, which has invested heavily in F-16V platforms and increase Algeria’s interoperability with other Russian-equipped air forces in Africa and the Middle East

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Conclusion

While there has been no official confirmation from Algiers or Moscow, the appearance of export-configured Su-34Ms in desert camouflage is a strong indicator that the deal is moving forward. If delivered, the Su-34 will represent a transformational leap in Algeria’s ability to conduct deep strike and maritime strike operations, cementing its place as one of Africa’s most capable air forces.

The coming months will reveal whether these sightings were a glimpse into Algeria’s near-future arsenal—or a rare misdirection in the opaque world of international arms sales.