Portuguese 
Ukraine’s potential purchase of 24 Super Tucano involves Embraer, NATO, drone combat, and Brazilian export rules while Kiev tries to find an alternative to overcome restrictions imposed by the Brazilian government.
Ukraine has once again put the Brazilian A-29 Super Tucano at the center of its air defense plans.
The initiative involves the possible acquisition of 24 aircraft manufactured by Embraer to combat Russian drones, but it faces the Brazilian government’s position of not authorizing military material supplies to the war-torn country.
According to Interfax-Ukraine, the attempt was presented by former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko, currently a deputy and leader of the opposition party European Solidarity.
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On September 19, he stated that he is working to make the operation feasible after discussing the matter with representatives of Embraer during the MSPO 2026 defense fair held in Poland.
The proposal was also brought to the attention of Ukraine’s Defense Minister, Yevhen Khmara.
Ukraine Considers 24 Super Tucano to Combat Drones
Poroshenko mentioned that discussions have led to defining a set of 24 Super Tucano primarily intended for intercepting attack drones used by Russia.
However, there has not yet been a public announcement of a contract between Embraer and Ukraine, nor confirmation from the Brazilian manufacturer regarding the sale of the aircraft.
The initiative is still in the political and negotiation phase.
It is precisely at this point that the strategy appears to try to bypass the Brazilian restriction.
According to Poroshenko, new negotiations could occur through a NATO country that already has defense contracts with Brazil.
The politician did not disclose which country it would be.
Re-exportation Would Still Depend on Brazilian Authorization
However, this alternative does not mean that a Brazilian aircraft could simply be purchased by a third country and transferred to Ukraine without Brasília’s involvement.
Brazilian legislation establishes specific controls for defense products.
Under current rules, companies need authorization to negotiate and export products classified under defense.
Additionally, re-exportation to a third country requires prior authorization from the Ministry of Defense, after consulting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The end-user certificate also stipulates that the equipment cannot be transferred again without the consent of the exporting country.
In practice, this means that the involvement of a NATO member could open a new front for negotiation, but it does not automatically eliminate the need for Brazilian approval for any potential transfer.
Brazilian Impasse Didn’t Start Now
The impasse didn’t start now.
During Lula’s government, Brazil already rejected requests related to the supply of military material intended for the Ukrainian war effort.
In a public statement made in 2023, Lula stated he rejected a German request involving ammunition because he did not want Brazil to participate directly in the conflict.
At the same time, the official Brazilian position condemns the Russian invasion and supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Lula’s government has stated that it prefers to act diplomatically in pursuit of negotiations to end the war, a stance reiterated by the president and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on various occasions since 2023.
According to Folha de S.Paulo, Brazilian restrictions on requests for military equipment supply to Kiev also occurred during Jair Bolsonaro’s government in 2022.
Therefore, Brazil’s resistance to sending arms for the conflict has crossed different administrations, although it has gained new diplomatic dimensions during the current government.
Super Tucano Gains Ground in International Market
For Embraer, the discussion occurs at a time when the Super Tucano is gaining new roles in the international defense market.
The A-29 is a turboprop aircraft developed for advanced training and light attack.
According to data released by Embraer, over 290 units have been ordered and the aircraft has been selected by 22 air forces, accumulating more than 600,000 flight hours.
The capabilities that spark Ukrainian interest are directly linked to the transformation of the battlefield brought about by drones.
In March 2026, Embraer announced a partnership with the American company Valkyrie Aero to enhance the A-29’s capabilities in C-UAS missions, an English acronym used for counter-unmanned aircraft systems.
Embraer Adapts A-29 for Counter-Drone Missions
The project aims to integrate the Gunslinger system into the Super Tucano, which uses artificial intelligence to aid in the detection, tracking, and neutralization of unmanned aerial threats.
The manufacturer presents features such as flight endurance, agility, and the capacity to carry various sensors and weapons as advantages for this type of operation.
This adaptation helps explain why a turboprop aircraft has entered discussions in Ukraine even amidst a war characterized by the use of modern fighters and sophisticated air defense systems.
Poroshenko claims that the goal would be to use the A-29 against Russian attack drones, including models from the Shahed family, employed in attacks against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
This is, for now, the justification presented by the Ukrainian politician, and not an officially contracted mission by Ukraine with Embraer.
A-29N Aligns Super Tucano with NATO Standards
The alignment of the Super Tucano with NATO is no longer just a commercial possibility.
Portugal has become the first country to operate the A-29N, configured to meet the operational requirements of the military alliance.
In December 2025, Embraer delivered the first five aircraft of a 12-plane order to the Portuguese Air Force.
The manufacturer also announced plans to establish a final assembly line for the A-29 in Portugal.
According to Embraer, the facility could meet the growing European demand for an aircraft capable of conducting drone countermeasures.
This industrial move positions Portugal as a significant player in the European advancement of the Super Tucano, but there is no public confirmation that the country is the intermediary mentioned by Poroshenko.
Any association in this direction remains hypothetical until the governments or companies involved officially identify the potential partner.
Potential Order Still Lacks Value and Timeline
From a commercial perspective, a potential order for 24 aircraft would be significant for the A-29 program.
However, there is still no disclosed value, manufacturing timeline, or clarification on which configuration would be intended for Ukraine.
Poroshenko stated he hopes the aircraft could reach the country by the end of 2026.
This deadline should also be viewed as an expectation from the former Ukrainian president, as no delivery has been announced by Embraer, and the necessary authorizations have not been publicly confirmed.
This situation encapsulates three issues that have come to intersect in the European defense market: Ukraine’s need to find ways to counter drones, the international expansion of the Super Tucano, and Brazilian controls over the final destination of military equipment produced in the country.
For now, the plan for the 24 aircraft remains under negotiation.
The next step will depend on whether the Ukrainian government formally adopts the proposal presented by Poroshenko, which NATO country would participate in the operation, and, most importantly, whether such a structure would receive the authorizations required by Brazil.
