Panama has invested $187 million to acquire advanced patrol, rescue, and cargo capabilities for the National Aeronaval Service.
About $78 million of the funding was awarded to Brazilian defense contractor Embraer for the delivery of four A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft.
The remainder was allocated for two CASA C-295 medium tactical transport aircraft developed by Airbus.
The A-29s will be utilized for surveillance, close-air support, special operations, drug interdiction, border monitoring, and advanced training.
Meanwhile, the C-295s will be deployed for enhanced military logistics, humanitarian and social aid, search and rescue, maritime, and firefighting tasks.
Upon delivery, both aircraft types will gradually replace the Central American government’s 14 platforms that have been assigned for similar missions since the 1980s.
“This strategic acquisition decision is based on a rigorous analysis of various aerial platforms and responds to the need to have adequate means to confront illicit activities within the national territory,” the National Aeronaval Service said.
“It is reiterated that these aircraft will not be acquired for any purpose other than ensuring the security of Panama’s airspace, land, and sea, through aerial patrols, with a range of capabilities the Panamanian State has never had.”
The Embraer A-29 and Airbus C-295
The A-29 measures 11 meters (36 feet) long and weighs 3,200 kilograms (7,055 pounds).
It can be armed with machine guns, miniguns, cannons, guided and unguided bombs, and multi-domain missiles.
The aircraft is powered by a 1,600-horsepower Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68C turboprop engine and a five-bladed Hartzell propeller for a top speed of 590 kilometers (367 miles) per hour, altitude up to 10,600 meters (34,776 feet), and a range of 2,800 kilometers (1,740 miles).
The C-295 measures 24 meters (79 feet) long and weighs 11.000 kilograms (24,251 pounds).
It has a payload capacity of 9,250 kilograms (20,393 pounds) and accommodation for over 70 passengers.
It is equipped with two Part & Whitney PW127G turboprop engines with 2,644 horsepower each and a six-bladed Hamilton Sundstrand propeller for speeds up to 482 kilometers (300 miles) per hour, a service ceiling of 9,145 meters (30,000 feet), and a range of 5,000 kilometers (3,107 miles).
