Aircraft

Chile has signed a 12-aircraft deal with Brazilian manufacturer Embraer for an air force fleet of EMB-314 Super Tucano advanced trainers.

Concluded on 15 August, the sale follows a June announcement by Embraer that it was close to finalising a Super Tucano deal with Santiago, which will receive its first example in the second half of 2009.

© Embraer

Embraer says the export agreement also covers the provision of a logistics support package, and a training and operation support system to comprise mission planning and debriefing equipment and a flight simulator.

"The availability of the Super Tucano will make a positive contribution to pilot training in the Chilean air force," says Luiz Carlos Aguiar, Embraer's executive vice-president, defence and government market. The service operates a frontline fleet of Cessna A-37s, Dassault Mirage 50s, Lockheed Martin F-16s and Northrop F-5s, according to Flight's MiliCAS database.

© Embraer

Embraer has meanwhile completed Super Tucano deliveries to the Colombian air force, having handed over its 25th aircraft in an 11 August ceremony.