Brazil still fussy about fighter jet deal
RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) - Brazil and France are continuing discussions over Brasilia's stated plan to buy 36 French-made Rafale fighter jets –but refused to say whether they were going ahead with the purchase.
| Related news: • Sweden sweetens bid for Brazil fighter jet deal • Saab's fight in Brazil 'not yet over' • Brazil turned down Saab's fighter jet • Saab prepares for 'life after Gripen' |
French Defense Minister Herve Morin, speaking after a meeting with his Brazilian counterpart Nelson Jobim in Rio de Janeiro, refused to say whether Brazil was going ahead with the purchase or give a possible date for a firm announcement.
The Rafales, made by Dassault, are seen as the frontrunners in a tender also being contested by Gripen NGs by Sweden's Saab and F/A-18 fighters being aggressively promoted by US company Boeing.
That favorite status was enhanced in early September when Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced Brazil had started talks to buy the Rafales.
Subsequently though, and under pressure from the Brazilian military, which wants to see the tender through, the final decision has been left hanging as the bidding companies sweeten their offers.
The deal is estimated to be worth between four and seven billion dollars, depending on details of armaments, maintenance and peripheral industrial involvement. Brazil could also end up buying up to another 100 fighter jets from the supplier over the long term.
"Discussions are continuing in a climate of confidence," said Morin.
"We are now awaiting the evaluation by the Brazilian armed forces and then the political decision process," he told reporters.
Brazil has made technology transfer the main priority in the tender, so it can end up being able to make fighter aircraft itself and boost its aviation industry.
France has offered near total access to its technology in its bid. Saab and Boeing have both insisted they will make "key" technology available.
Brazil has a strategic relationship with France, and has already sealed other military deals with Paris worth around 11 billion dollars to buy four submarines and 50 helicopters.
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Last Updated (Wednesday, 04 November 2009 09:05)
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