A-29 to 2040: How Brazil Is Reinventing the Super Tucano for the Drone and Amazon Era

This analysis is part of our multi-regional defense network including Asia-Pacific Military Watch, DefAsia, European Defense, and Latin Sentinel.

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Brazil is giving the A-29 Super Tucano a new life. While many air forces would retire an aircraft after two decades of service, the Brazilian Air Force is doing the opposite: launching a deep mid-life upgrade that will keep the A-29 combat-relevant until the year two thousand forty. This video explains why the Super Tucano remains essential for Brazil’s national security, how the upgrade works, and what it means for future airpower in South America.

The A-29’s transformation is driven by two major realities. First, Brazil needs an affordable and reliable aircraft to patrol the Amazon, support border forces, and conduct counter-crime operations across vast and challenging terrain. Second, modern conflicts have shown the rise of drone warfare, pushing Embraer and the Air Force to adapt the A-29 into a flexible low-cost platform capable of intercepting unmanned threats.

We break down the key elements of the new upgrade package:
• New Garmin GPS-175 with full RNAV capability
• Night-vision compatibility for improved operations in remote areas
• Updated avionics, communications, and mission systems
• Integration with precision-guided weapons
• Foundation for the new “drone-killer” configuration

This upgrade also strengthens Brazil’s defense industry and increases the export potential of the Super Tucano—already one of the most successful light-attack aircraft in the world. With new orders from Portugal, Uruguay, Panama, and several African countries, the A-29 is becoming a global symbol of affordable, practical, and combat-proven airpower.

By extending the A-29’s life and improving its capabilities, Brazil is making a strategic statement: effective airpower does not always require expensive jets. Sometimes, the smartest choice is to modernize what already works. The Super Tucano is not just surviving—it is being reinvented for a new era.