Could the other project to be lead by Portugal be the A-29N? Or is this type of aircraft not included in this round of SAFE?
Copilot said:
Copilot
Here’s what I found about the A-29N Super Tucano and its potential inclusion in SAFE projects:
1. Portugal’s A-29N Acquisition
Portugal signed a €200 million contract in December 2024 for 12 Embraer A-29N Super Tucano aircraft, plus a simulator and logistics support. Deliveries started in mid-2025 and will continue through 2027–2028.defencesecurityasia+2
The A-29N is a NATO-standard variant of the Super Tucano, designed for light attack, close air support (CAS), JTAC training, ISR, and advanced pilot training. It includes NATO datalink, encrypted communications, and avionics upgrades.airdatanews+1
OGMA (Embraer’s Portuguese subsidiary) is deeply involved in final assembly and NATO integration, ensuring significant industrial participation in Portugal.theaviationist
2. SAFE Program Eligibility
SAFE funds market-ready platforms for joint procurement among EU/EEA/EFTA states or Ukraine. The A-29N qualifies as a ready, operational aircraft.
Projects must strengthen the European defense industrial base. While Embraer is Brazilian, OGMA’s role in assembly, avionics integration, and support creates a European value chain, which aligns with SAFE requirements.
SAFE prioritizes strategic capabilities like airlift, ISR, and training systems. Light attack/training aircraft are not excluded; they fit under air domain modernization for permissive/semi-permissive environments (e.g., Africa missions).armyrecognition
3. Could A-29N Be One of Portugal’s SAFE Leadership Projects?
Portugal will lead two SAFE projects. One is likely KC-390 (strategic airlift), and the other could plausibly be A-29N, because:
It addresses NATO capability gaps (CAS and advanced training).
It involves industrial return (€75M earmarked for Portuguese firms for upgrades and integration).
It offers export potential: aircraft modified in Portugal could be sold to other NATO/EU countries, generating revenue and reinforcing SAFE’s collaborative procurement goals.defesa
Bottom Line
✅ Yes, the A-29N could realistically be included in this SAFE round as Portugal’s second leadership project.
It meets SAFE’s criteria for readiness, industrial participation, and strategic relevance. The only caveat: Portugal must structure the proposal as a multi-country procurement or upgrade program, not just its own acquisition.