Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer will build 20 aircraft for the U.S. Air Force in Jacksonville.

Embraer, which has been building a deep footprint in Florida, announced Friday the $355 million contract to provide its A-29 Super Tucano aircraft to the U.S. military.

Gov. Rick Scott commended the bipartisan teamwork that helped land the contract for the construction facility at Jacksonville International Airport.

“This is an important deal for Florida’s economic future, and I’m particularly proud of Lieutenant Governor (Jennifer) Carroll’s leadership, alongside that of Senator Bill Nelson), Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown, and that of the Florida congressional delegation, all of whom worked hard on this deal for our state and community,” Scott stated in a release.

The aircraft from Embraer Defense and Security will be used for flight training, aerial reconnaissance and light air-support operations.

“The lieutenant governor personally testified before the U.S. International Trade Commission on behalf of Embraer, and her military aviation background and strong ties to the Jacksonville community played an important part in helping to seal this deal,” Scott added.

Brown told News4JAX that the project means 50 high-wage jobs.

“This is great economic news for Jacksonville,” Brown said, according to News4JAX. “The award reaffirms that Jacksonville is the most military- and business-friendly city in the United States.”

In October, Scott headed an Enterprise Florida trade mission to Sao Paulo, Brazil.  Among those on the trip were Brown and two Embraer Aircraft Holding representatives from the company’s Fort Lauderdale office.

Earlier this year, Embraer opened a sleek customer design center and 80,000-square-foot factory that already employs more than 100 at the Melbourne International Airport. The first of five aircraft needed for the plant to receive FAA production certification, a Phenom 100, was completed in early December.

In addition to the A-29 Super Tucanos, light-attack turboprops designed for counterinsurgency missions, Embraer will also provide ground training devices to support pilot training, as well as all maintenance and supply requirements for the aircraft.

"We are committed to pursuing our U.S. investment strategy and to delivering the A-29 Super Tucano on schedule and within the budget," Luiz Carlos Aguiar, CEO of Embraer Defense and Security, stated in a release.

Jim Turner can be reached at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com, or at (850) 727-0859 or (772) 215-9889.