Latvia Considering Super Tucano Attack Aircraft to Combat Drones

The Latvian military is considering the purchase of Brazilian A-29 Super Tucano attack aircraft manufactured by Embraer.

This was reported by the local publication SARGS.

It is reported that in mid-July, the commander of the Latvian Air Force, Colonel Viesturs Masulis, attended the Global Air & Space Chiefs’ Conference in London.

There, he met with representatives of the defense industry to discuss the possibility of acquiring light combat and training aircraft, including representatives from Embraer.

Currently, Latvia, along with several other NATO countries, is considering the A-29 as one of the options for countering drones.

“As I pass the baton to the next Air Force commander, Colonel Edmunds Svenčs, I will certainly urge him to focus on these aircraft—not as conventional planes, but as an air defense system, especially for countering slow-moving targets and drones,” he noted.

The government has allocated over one billion euros to strengthen air defense, and aircraft of this type could become a component of that system.

As soon as specific estimates regarding financing and deliveries are received from the manufacturers, a detailed analysis will be conducted and a further action plan will be developed.

During a discussion of the potential for local production in Latvia and the possibility of establishing local production of such aircraft, the Air Force commander acknowledged that domestic manufacturers have great potential, but military aviation requires many years of experience.

Earlier, it was reported that Poland is also considering the Super Tucano as a platform for countering drones.

In light of current challenges, Embraer is adapting its combat aircraft to perform counter-drone missions. Specifically, this involves the integration of the Gunslinger guidance system from Valkyrie Aero.

Valkyrie Aero’s Gunslinger system uses artificial intelligence algorithms to make tactical decisions in real time.

The technology automates the processes of detecting, tracking, and neutralizing unmanned threats, complementing the aircraft’s existing sensors.