Lobbying steps up ahead of Brazil jet fighter decision

Agence France Presse (AFP) ^ | 20/08/2009 | Marc Burleigh

[sukhoi-30mki]

Lobbying steps up ahead of Brazil jet fighter decision By Marc Burleigh (AFP) – 7 hours ago

SAO PAULO — French, Swedish and US defense companies pursuing a four-billion-dollar deal to replace Brazil's aging fleet of fighter jets are stepping up lobbying efforts ahead of a decision expected within the next couple of months.

The intensification of the campaigns comes after Brazil's likely announcement was pushed back from September to October at the earliest in order to ask "incredibly detailed" technical questions of the three competitors, a source in one of the companies said.

France's Dassault, which is fielding its high-tech Rafale fighter, had been seen as the frontrunner up to now because of a guarantee to share all technology with Brazil -- a key requirement of the tender.

But Sweden's Saab, offering a new generation of its cost-effective Gripen jet, and US aerospace giant Boeing, plugging its F/A-18 Super Hornet, have sought to blunt that advantage.

Saab president Ake Svensson told reporters in Sao Paulo on Thursday that not only would Gripen technology be offered, but Brazil stood to benefit by participating in future exports of the Swedish jet, which is poised to go into production.

Bob Kemp, Saab's sales and marketing director, said that because the supply chains for Dassault and Boeing were already defined, "we have a program and they have products" to offer.

Boeing's executive vice-president, Jim Albaugh, likewise stressed to journalists last week in Sao Paulo that the US Congress was being asked to allow an "unprecedented" level of technology-sharing with Brazil around the F/A-18.

[xkaydet65]

Except for Colombia and maybe Chile I am not sure I want to be selling the best performing aircraft in the USN’s inventory to any South American country. Brazil is leaning too much towards Chavez and his flying monkeys.

[Prokopton]

Except for Colombia and maybe Chile I am not sure I want to be selling the best performing aircraft in the USN’s inventory to any South American country. Brazil is leaning too much towards Chavez and his flying monkeys.

I wouldn't be as nervous if we had more F22s.

[xkaydet65]

F22s don’t fly from carriers and most of South America is beyond land based air.Naval aviators are as good as any in the world, but I don’t want a potential adversary, even one as remotely plausible as Brazil, having access to equal air tech.

[Prokopton]

F22s don’t fly from carriers and most of South America is beyond land based air.Naval aviators are as good as any in the world, but I don’t want a potential adversary, even one as remotely plausible as Brazil, having access to equal air tech.

Yes, too bad they canceled the swing-wing naval version of the F22. The F22 does have a range of 1800+ miles though and with air to air refueling nothing is really out of range. We agree that it is risky to give our best technology to countries whose loyalties can change at any time.

[DemforBush]

Rafale

Saab Gripen

Nice lookin' birds.

[rahbert]

they would only get equivalent airframes. Engines, and
especially avionics and weapons loadout can be tailored
to suit the future expected behavior of the customer.

[xkaydet65]

Don't know about the engines, but I expect you're quite right about the avionics and targeting systems.

Off topic:

Had a thought about the pilots. The Brits learned in the Falklands that a country that produces Formula One race car drivers can turn out good pilots. Same could be true for Brazil

[rahbert]

No question about the Arg pilots. But where are all the German Formula 1 drivers? Haven’t heard of any.