Brazil's Embraer has enjoyed considerable success with its EMB-312 Tucano trainer, and is also now on the export map with its enhanced EMB-314 Super Tucano after securing sales for the type from Colombia and the Dominican Republic. However, the proposed sale of 12 Super Tucano aircraft to Venezuela fell foul of an arms embargo imposed in protest over the policies of the Chavez administration.
Colombia received its first five of 25 Super Tucanos last year, with the type to be used for training and light attack duties. Embraer is offering the EMB-314 to additional Latin American users, with Chile eyed as another potential future customer for the type.
Asian market
The EMB-314 has a maximum take-off weight of 5.3t, including 1.5t in external stores and offers a service life of 18,000h when used as a trainer, according to its manufacturer. The Brazilian firm last year targeted the Asian market for the first time, sending the EMB-314 to participate in the Singapore air show.
However, despite forecasting sales of 150-200 Super Tucanos in Asia and the Middle East within five years, Embraer lost the Singapore contest to the Pilatus PC-21. Its Super Tucano is, however, still in the running to meet a United Arab Emirates requirement for 20-30 primary trainers, facing competition from the PC-21 and Alenia Aermacchi's M-311. The type is also contesting a requirement for potentially 50 aircraft from Turkey.
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Source: Flight International
