The Paraguayan Air Force has received a Cessna 408 SkyCourier funded by Itaipu Binacional, becoming the first military operator of the Textron Aviation turboprop in South America. Formally handed over at Silvio Pettirossi International Airport on 5 October, the aircraft will support passenger and cargo transport, medical evacuation, disaster response and humanitarian missions in remote areas of Paraguay.
The aircraft operates with the Air Transport Group and joins the force’s existing Cessna Grand Caravan fleet. Its acquisition begins the gradual renewal of the Air Force’s medium transport capability, including CASA C-212 aircraft acquired in 1984. The SkyCourier is intended for logistics and rapid-response missions rather than combat operations.
Paraguayan authorities describe the aircraft as a three-configuration platform that can serve as an ambulance, personnel transporter or cargo aircraft. The freighter version can carry up to three LD3 containers and has a 6,000-pound payload. It is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65SC engines and equipped with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics.
The ceremony at the First Air Brigade was attended by President Santiago Peña and Defence Minister Óscar González. Paraguayan Air Force sources intend to acquire at least one additional SkyCourier, although no purchase price or contract details have been disclosed.