Embraer (A17-18) has received a follow-on order for eight more EMB 314 Super Tucano counterinsurgency aircraft from the Indonesian air force, a top company official says.
"Embraer signed a contract for the second batch of Super Tucano airplanes," says Luiz Carlos Aguiar, president of Embraer Defense and Security.
Indonesia has already ordered a batch of eight such aircraft, the first of which is set to be delivered this year, he says. The first four aircraft should arrive in a "couple of months".
Deliveries of the first batch should be completed in 2013. That would be followed shortly by the second batch, which is set to be delivered starting 2014. All eight aircraft in the second batch will be delivered in 2014.
The Super Tucanos are replacing Indonesia's fleet of Rockwell OV-10 Broncos.
Embraer is not able to disclose the value of the contract because of a non-disclosure agreement, Aguiar says.
Brazil is also providing training for the Indonesian air force. Indonesian pilots are already undergoing training in Brazil, but there will soon be Brazilians going over to Indonesia to provide additional support.
The Indonesians are Embraer's first customer for the type in the region, Aguiar says, but there are other potential customers in the region. In addition, there are sales campaigns ongoing in South and Central America, and Africa. Aguiar says he is surprised by just how much interest there is from African nations.
Meanwhile, the Embraer and partner Sierra Nevada have submitted their proposal for the US Air Force's light air support programme - which aims to supply the Afghan air force with a light attack aircraft. The company expects a selection at the beginning of next year.
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Source: Flight Daily News
