F-103/Mirage III E BR
Brazil to Buy Used War Planes From France
The Associated Press
Published: Jun 10, 2005
SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) - Brazil is negotiating to buy 12 used jet fighters from France to replace aging planes on its fleet, Brazil's defense minister said Friday.
The transaction, reportedly worth nearly US$60 million (euro50 million), is expected to be finalized when Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visits France in July, Brazil's Defense Minister and Vice President Jose Alencar told the Folha de S. Paulo newspaper, Brazil's largest.
The planes, Mirages 2000-C still in use by the French air force, will replace 20 Mirage IIIEBr which have been used by Brazil for more than 30 years.
Brazil recently canceled a US$700 million (euro540 million) plan to purchase between 12 and 24 new jet fighters to replace its fleet, opting to purchase used airplanes instead.
AP-ES-06-10-05 1959EDT
http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBFX9Z2T9E.html