FAdeA IA 73

In December 2009, FAdeA began the project assessment phase. The project, titled IA-73 UNASUR 1 [Union of South American Nations], would be a joint effort between Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia, and Ecuador to develop a modern trainer aircraft. FAdeA (Argentina's primary aircraft manufacturer) would produce the design with the assistance of Brazil, Venezuela, and Ecuador, and Bolivia would provide additional funding for the project. This plan was approved by FAdeA's board of directors in late August 2010, and shortly after discussions were launched with the AAF. The first flight would take place in 2013. However, since then the IA-73 has experienced continuing delays in entering service. Original estimates by FAdeA put the aircraft's entry into service for 2015, == Cost and service ==

The cost to develop the first prototype ended up at around 12 million US$. The total local program cost for 52 aircraft (50 production units and 2 prototype units) would end up around 115 million US$, and the unit cost for the IA-73 would settle at an estimated 1.8 million US$. == Specifications ==