Argentine Air Force receives first modernised Embraer EMB-312 Tucano trainer aircraft

 The Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Argentina, FAA) has received the first Embraer EMB-312 Tucano modernised by Redimec, in a ceremony that also included delivery of the third (of 12) UC-12B Herons procured from US Navy stocks.

Four aircraft are already going through the process, while a second contract for a further eight awaits signature. Work on the Tucano was undertaken by Redimec at the Área de Material Río Cuarto, the service’s principal maintenance centre. These modification enable flights to be made with night vision systems, so both internal and external lighting systems were also adapted. The upgrade includes a new multifunction display with synthetic vision, as well as new communications and navigation systems.

In June 1987, the Argentine Air Force received the first batch of 15 aircraft from a total of 30 aircraft on order, and the type was assigned to replace the Morane-Saulnier MS.760 Paris. Based at the Military Aviation School in Cordoba, the EMB-312 Tucanos were used as trainer aircraft for the Joint Basic Course of Military Aviation program, producing pilots for the Argentine Air Force, Navy, and Army. In the first 25 years of its service with the Argentine Air Force, the aircraft accumulated 104,000 flight hours and trained over 800 pilots. FAdeA is developing the IA-73, a primary trainer to replace EMB-312 Tucano. The type aircraft will be relocated to the northern Argentina, where they will be armed and used for air interdiction and surveillance role.