Textron Aviation has confirmed that the Paraguayan Air Force has become the first South American military operator of the Cessna SkyCourier, with the twin-turboprop entering service after delivery in early October. Funded by Itaipu Binacional, the aircraft is set to support passenger and cargo transport, logistics, aeromedical evacuation and humanitarian missions.
The aircraft was presented in Wichita, Kansas, before its transfer to Paraguay, where it joins the air force’s transport fleet as part of a wider renewal programme. Local coverage indicates it will work alongside existing Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft and help replace older CASA C-212 capacity used for troop and transport duties.
The SkyCourier is understood to be the first of four aircraft planned for the fleet-replacement process. Reports in Paraguay place the purchase price at about $11.3 million and describe a multi-role configuration with seating for 19 passengers and space for four stretchers. The acquisition extends the SkyCourier’s mission profile beyond civil cargo and commuter operations into military and public-service work in the region.