Embraer appears to have secured another customer for the Super Tucano. (Photo: Embraer)
Posted on 06/30/2017 5:41:12 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
The Embraer Super Tucano is the sole compliant bidder for a Philippines Air Force (PAF) requirement for a new close air support (CAS) aircraft. The PAF has prioritized CAS and air to ground munitions procurement as a result of the takeover by Muslim extremist insurgents of the city of Marawi on the southern island of Mindanao. An Embraer spokesperson said the company is committed to fulfilling the requirement.
The PAF is seeking six aircraft for CAS to complement, and eventually replace its aging fleet of OV-10 Bronco twin turboprops. The Broncos have recently flown missions over Marawi, dropping 500-pound Mk 82 bombs against the insurgents. The PAF has also deployed its Leonardo AW109 helicopters and KAI FA-50 Golden Eagle fighters to help ground forces retake the city. The last of 12 FA-50s was delivered to Clark airbase on May 31.
Despite its deteriorating political relationship with the Philippines, the U.S. has been supporting the action. It has been supplying ISR from U.S. Navy P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft, and U.S. special forces have been operating the AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma UAS over the city, presumably to collect imagery.
The PAF will be conducting post-bid qualification inspections, before submitting a recommendation for the Embraer aircraft. Other potential candidates for the requirement were the Aero Vodochody L-39NG and the Textron Beechcraft AT-6.
The Philippines defense ministry has expressed interest in acquiring Russian-made precision guided munitions, following a state visit by the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte to Russia in May.
Additional reporting by Chris Pocock.
Embraer appears to have secured another customer for the Super Tucano. (Photo: Embraer)
Super Tacos? Like extra large ones?
They are better off to strengthen their alliance with the US than than buy something like that.
Probably none of the third world countries need the fast, agile jets used by the first world. The threats they face are not armed with fighter jets. Typically they are fighting guys wearing sandals and carrying an AK. What they need is a relatively fast, hard-to-hit with ground fire ground attack plane. Above all it needs to be cheap and maintainable. This fits the bill.
Probably most of the missions the first world conducts in limited combat areas would also benefit from having a few of these on hand.
The USAF operates a training squadron (80th) of Super T’s at Moody AFB, GA. The aircraft is built both in Brazil and in Jacksonville, FL.
A-10 would fit that bill......................
“A-10 would fit that bill......................”
The company that made the A-10 has been out of business for a long time. The planes are old and I, for one, would like to see them used exclusively for the appropriate threat environment, not the really low intensity conflicts like those in the Philippines. I don’t know what the cost difference is but I’d wager the acquisition costs plus the maintenance on the Super Tucano is much less than the ongoing maintenance and operations cost of the increasingly rare A-10’s. No argument here on the A-10’s outstanding ability and desirability.
They’re not out of business, they are just owned by somebody else:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairchild_Aircraft
Filipino Super Tacos.
Mmmm
That looks fun, jet turbine with rockets. I’d fly that to my 30th high school anniversary!!
Only resemblence I see are the tail find (and dorsal) and the laminar air foil. The whole front end of the fuselage is dominated bY the turbo-prop engine and dual bubble canopy which changes the look to my eyes. Also no belly radiator (not needed)
“Deteriorating political relationship with the Philippines?”
I thought that turned around when Trump was elected. President Duterte changed his tone right away, saying he hoped he could work with the new administration. Moreover, I hear they have had some pleasant phone conversations since then, and they are planning to meet in person this year, at the November ASEAN summit if not sooner.
I thought that turned around when Trump was elected. President Duterte changed his tone right away, saying he hoped he could work with the new administration. Moreover, I hear they have had some pleasant phone conversations since then, and they are planning to meet in person this year, at the November ASEAN summit if not sooner.
I'm an expat living in the Philippines, and most of the locals like him. My belief is he thought hillary was going to win, and started hedging his bets last year by reaching out to China and Russia, because he knew hillary would continue to throw the PI under the bus. I think Trumps' election caught him by surprise.
That being said, I'd follow the money on who in the govt here is behind the deal, because somebody is getting to make some money on it.
For the record, my wife is from Mindanao, and though she didn’t like Mr. Duterte before the election, she changed her mind once she saw that he gets things done, and has supported him since then. Then last November, we both voted for Trump, so it’s good news for us that Trump and Duterte are getting along.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.