Posted on 02/12/2012 7:22:17 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
Brazil "very likely" to choose French fighter jet: sources
SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazil is "very likely" to choose France's Rafale fighter jet to refurbish its air force, government sources say, a decision that would award one of the emerging-market world's most coveted defense contracts to a jet whose future was in doubt only two weeks ago.
President Dilma Rousseff and her top advisers believe that Dassault Aviation's (AVMD.PA) bid to sell at least 36 Rafales offers the best terms among the three finalists, the sources told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
The other two bidders are Boeing's (BA.N) F-18 and Saab's (SAABb.ST) Gripen.
Rousseff has cast the deal as a watershed decision that will help mold Brazil's military and strategic alliances for the next few decades as it continues to establish itself as a leading economic power. The contract will have an initial value of about $4 billion but will likely be worth considerably more over time once maintenance and follow-on orders are included.
Rousseff previously had concerns about the Rafale because the jet had not found any buyers outside France. That raised doubts about whether Dassault would have the scale necessary to build the jets at a reasonable cost and maintain them over time.
The sources said those concerns were assuaged when India announced on January 31 that it had entered exclusive talks to buy 126 Rafales. Brazilian Defense Minister Celso Amorim traveled to New Delhi last week to discuss the deal with Indian officials and examine documents related to Dassault's bid.
"The India deal changed everything," one of the Brazilian sources said. "With India's decision, it's now very likely the Rafale will be the winner here."
The sources said that Dassault offered the best combination of a high-quality aircraft and the sharing of proprietary technology
(Excerpt) Read more at ca.reuters.com ...
I guess the US offering to buy the Brazilian Tuscano, for close air-support, didn’t do any good.
Heh... I was thinking the same thing.
I don’t think a Rafale purchase will be as politically easy for Brazil as it seems. For one, it has been shortlisted with two much cheaper aircraft. And the French have already gotten a number of major deals from Brazil over the past few years (submarines, helicopters).
All in all, the Super Hornet still stands a very strong chance for all the right reasons.
Don't recall that he mentioned that they should be buying stuff from us though.
The US didn’t offer to buy the Super Tucano; it won a competitive evaluation by the Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright Patterson AFB.
Brazil must be nuts. /rimshot!
But seriously, this probably makes the most sense. And at least it wasn’t Russian made.
Thanks sukhoi-30mki.
It doesn’t make a lot of sense actually. The Rafale is pretty expensive and it’s added capabilities don’t really matter to Brazil’s lower threat perceptions. And there’s little added political value in it. Unlike giving it to the US.
Brazil has been a customer of Dassault products for decades. Their most recent serious defense related aerospace purchase was for ex-French M2000s.
I, an influential Brazilian defense procurement official, would continue to buy ex-French M2000s for the Brazilian air force replacing 40-year old Mirage IIIs (F-103s) and Northrop F-5s. I’d also be looking hard at ex-U.S. Navy/Marine Corps F-18A/Ds as replacements for the A-4 Skyhawks they are operating from their ex-French carrier. Considering their potential opponents, Venezuela, these would be more than enough.
However, a burgeoning Brazil looking for new kit with some serious political benefits from a VERY motivated seller.......Rafale is very likely. Dassault and the French government will hand over the keys for serious contracts. Not a bad, just reality. And, considering the recent Indian decision to purchase 126 Rafales for the IAF, the Rafale has gained some viability and longevity it previously couldn’t have dreamed of. The Rafale is now a very serious player on the future combat market.
Don’t be at all surprised if Brazil and Embraer choose a triangulated third path that provides them a serious technological, political, and economic off-set in return.
Battle tested over Libya. The French don’t let the grass grow under their feet. Obama should have brought this deal to the USA—Oh I forgot—That would have brought jobs to the USA—My mistake. Maybe we should have bought those French air tankers, they would have been built in Alabama.
yup. there all all kinds of considerations over and above the base airframe. bofors comes to mind..
just a thought but why don’t they make their own?
Brazil does’nt have all the resources to build a high-end warplane but they are looking for technology from the respective bidders (Saab, Boeing, Dassault) to help boost their aviation industry.
I believe that some of these aircraft (36 initially for an eventual number of up to 120) will be built in Brazil.
The US did not buy the Tuscano, for American usage, it was bought for Iraq and Afghanistan air forces. It is one hell of a lot cheaper to fly and maintain than our jets and a self defense force needs nothing more. Dang, try reading it helps..
The competitive part is debatable. The MKII outperforms the Super Tucano, and has better handling qualities, but was disqualified on a contractual technicality, i.e., it didn’t have existing hard points at the time the contract was announced.
It doesn’t matter where it’s going, we (USA) are paying for it.
their commuter birds and biz jets are passable...
they can figure out how to make a B class fighter bird
they don’t need that sort of projected force for themselves hence I assume they plan to sell them to folks who can’t afford or get approval to buy US made or the top European
maybe I’m wrong...maybe Brasil, Argentina and Uruguay plan to attack Paraguay again and kill most of the male population..for old times sake
It’s clear from your response that you have no idea what you are talking about.
Thanks again sukhoi-30mki.
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