ASUNCION, July 18 (Reuters) - Paraguay is negotiating

with Brazil to buy six Embraer Super Tucano fighter

planes for $96 million as part of its efforts to fight drug

trafficking, the South American nation's defense minister, Oscar

Gonzalez, said on Thursday.

The deal is part of a $500 million package the government is

allocating to defense and security projects, Gonzalez told

reporters.