Aircraft & UAVs

A-29 Super Tucano

The A-29 Super Tucano is a Brazilian-designed turboprop light attack aircraft used by the Nigerian Air Force for counter-insurgency missions, combining armed reconnaissance, close air support, and precision air-to-ground strike capability against Boko Haram and ISWAP targets.

Boko Haram InsurgencyNigerian government and allied forces

Conflict side: Nigerian government and allied forces
Built by: Embraer Defense & SecuritySierra Nevada Corporation
Built in: BrazilUnited States

A-29 Super Tucano, Turboprop light attack and armed reconnaissance aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs

Image source: Nigerian Air Force A-29 Super Tucano aircraft pilot fires two .50-caliber machine guns

Profile

Type: Turboprop light attack and armed reconnaissance aircraft
Conflict side: Nigerian government and allied forces
Origin: Brazil / United States
Service note: Introduced in 2003; Nigerian Air Force service from 2021

aircraft close air supportcounter-insurgencyprecision fires reconnaissance

Service History

In service: Entered Brazilian service in 2003; Nigeria inducted 12 aircraft in 2021
Used by: Nigerian Air Force
Wars: Boko Haram Insurgency

Production History

Designer: Embraer
Designed: 1990s
Built by: Embraer Defense & SecuritySierra Nevada Corporation
Built in: BrazilUnited States
Unit cost: Part of an approximately $500 million Nigerian Foreign Military Sales package
Produced: 2003-present
Variants: A-29B Super Tucano

Specifications

Crew: Two
Powerplant: One Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68C turboprop rated around 1,600 shp
Dimensions: 36.5 ft wingspan; 37.3 ft length; 13 ft height
Maximum takeoff weight: 11,905 lb
Speed: About 368 mph
Range: About 1,900 miles with wing-mounted external tanks
Service ceiling: 35,000 ft
Armament: Two internal .50-caliber machine guns plus up to 3,714 lb of external stores on five stations

Conflict Usage

Boko Haram Insurgency: Side: Nigerian government and allied forcesRole: Close air support and precision strikesclose air support precision fires reconnaissance strike
Nigerian Air Force A-29s were inducted in 2021 and used in Operation Hadin Kai, including reported August 2022 strikes against Boko Haram encampments in the Sambisa Forest area.

A-29 Super Tucano Videos

Why the Embraer A-29 Super Tucano Is the World’s Most Successful Light Attack Aircraft

A-29 Super Tucano — The Precision Turboprop Attack Aircraft #military

A-29 Super Tucano | Strength and Agility

Why Special Forces Use the A-29 Super Tucano Fighter

A-29 Super Tucano Attack Aircraft In Action – Live Fire Training

The A-29 Super Tucano can BEAT a 4th gen. jet (in the long run ...)

A-29 Super Tucano Images

A-29 Super Tucano, Turboprop light attack and armed reconnaissance aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1 — Source: Nigerian Air Force A-29 Super Tucano aircraft pilot fires two .50-caliber machine guns

A-29 Super Tucano, Turboprop light attack and armed reconnaissance aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2 — Source: Nigerian Air Force set for training on A-29 Super Tucano

A-29 Super Tucano, Turboprop light attack and armed reconnaissance aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 3 — Source: Nigerian Air Force set for training on A-29 Super Tucano

A-29 Super Tucano, Turboprop light attack and armed reconnaissance aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs - view 4 — Source: Nigerian Air Force receives new facilities for A-29 Super Tucano fleet

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Sources

U.S.-made A-29 Super Tucano aircraft inducted into Nigerian Air ForcePublisher: United States Africa Command | Note: Supports Boko Haram Insurgency context that A-29 Super Tucanos were supplied to and fielded by the Nigerian Air Force for counter-violent-extremist operations including ISWAP, with ISR and precision strike roles. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Insurgents Scatter as Nigeria Rules AirPublisher: Africa Defense Forum | Note: Supports Boko Haram Insurgency direct-use claim that A-29 Super Tucanos were used by Nigerian forces in Operation Hadin Kai airstrikes against Boko Haram encampments in August 2022. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 A-29 Super Tucano brochurePublisher: Embraer | Note: Supports manufacturer background, aircraft mission set, protection features, propulsion, sensors, and weapons-system details. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 A-29 Super TucanoPublisher: Air & Space Forces Magazine | Note: Supports general A-29 specifications, Embraer design origin, Sierra Nevada licensed production, and Nigerian training context. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Nigerian Air Force A-29 Super Tucano aircraft depart U.S. for final deliveryPublisher: Sierra Nevada Corporation | Note: Supports manufacturer and delivery context for the 12 Nigerian Air Force A-29 light attack aircraft built by Sierra Nevada Corporation with Embraer Defense & Security. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Nigerian Air Force receives new facilities for A-29 Super Tucano fleetPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports Nigerian A-29 fleet sustainment, the 12-aircraft Foreign Military Sales package, and the Kainji Air Base support infrastructure. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Nigerian Air Force A-29 Super Tucano aircraft pilot fires two .50-caliber machine gunsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and public-domain licensing page for the primary Nigerian Air Force A-29 training image. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Nigerian Air Force set for training on A-29 Super TucanoPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and CC BY 2.0 licensing page for a Nigerian Air Force A-29 training image originally posted by USAFRICOM. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Nigerian Air Force set for training on A-29 Super Tucano - 49897209066Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and CC BY 2.0 licensing page for a second Nigerian Air Force A-29 training image originally posted by USAFRICOM. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Nigerian Air Force receives new facilities for A-29 Super Tucano fleetPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and public-domain U.S. Army photo context for Kainji Air Base facilities supporting Nigerian A-29 operations. | Accessed: 2026-06-21