Philippine Air Force Eyes Total of 24 Super Tucanos

22 Maret 2021

PAF A29B Super Tucano (photo : AFP)

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is eyeing to acquire a total of 24 A-29B Super Tucanos. PAF is currently operating 6 Super Tucanos which were commissioned to service under 15th Strike Wing in October 2020.

“This is a project that was 12 years in the making as part of the revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (AFPMP). The project has fi nally come to fruition and six (6) aircraft were offi cially commissioned to the Philippine Air Force, under 15th Strike Wing, on 13 October 2020, with additional 12 more aircraft by 2022 and six (6) more on the way ahead for a total of 24 Tucanos soaring the Philippine skies by the end of 2024,” PAF said in its recently release publication Flight Plan: New Hope.

“The A-29B Super Tucano is a durable, light attack aircraft, Forward Operating Base (FOB) capable with a low maintenance and operational cost, with the capability for day and night operations and non-precision and precision guided air munitions delivery,” it explained.

PAF said that the Super Tucano is highly maneuverable and capable of reaching a maximum speed of 590 km/h or 320 knots.

“It has a low heat signature and incorporates 4th generation avionics and weapons system (electro-optical and infrared system capable, laser range finder and data link, net centric data recorder) inside a modern and functional cockpit,” it added.

“With these capabilities, the PAF will use the new aircraft for Close Air Support (CAS), Light Attack, as well as Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions,” PAF said.

(Mintfo)