On 24 April, GMV Portugal and several other Portuguese companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with aerospace manufacturer Embraer. The signing ceremony, which was attended by GMV’s Defense and Security Manager in Portugal, José Neves, took place as part of a four-day state visit to the country by Brazilian President Lula da Silva. The visit was also joined by Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa and other political and business figures.

GMV and Embraer have been collaborating for over 15 years on research and development in the area of integrated modular avionics (IMA), including projects within the European Union. The new MOU updates the one signed by the two companies in September last year, with the intention of extending the ties of cooperation with new businesses, new technological developments, and new defense strategies.

The signing also signifies an important step forward in the ongoing development of technologies for the A-29 Super Tucano, a military aircraft used by 15 air forces around the world, including in the United States, the armed forces of Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Angola. However, this MOU extends beyond the companies’ potential strategic relationship as regards development and systems integration for the A-29 Super Tucano. It also encompasses the A-29N model, which was recently launched to meet the needs of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries. This includes research, technological development, and innovation processes intended to expand and increase long-term business relationships between the companies during the development, production, and operational support phases of the A-29N aircraft