Flightglobal:Brazil's air force has given the three competitors in its FX-2 fighter contest until 2 October to submit final bids for the deal ... ...Author: Stephen TrimbleDate: 22 September 2009Read the full article
Author: Stephen Trimble
Date: 22 September 2009
Read the full article
Steve - Your piece says Brazil is buying at least 36 planes. I have read they are considering up to 130. Do you have any info on this?
Also, I have seen reapeatedly Brazil's buy being referred to as for its AF. Do you know if they also want to replace the A-4s on their carrier, the Sao Paulo, which they gave just refitted at great cost? If so, the Rafale wins at least some of the order if the Brazilians want more than 36 planes, or or all of it if they only want 36 for now.
Finally, I have a theory that the Brazilians are keeping the F-18E/Fs in the game not only to maintain high pressure on the French to give them the very favorable terms for the Rafale that Sarkosy promised, but also to give them time to make the strategic, political decision whether or not they want to go for long range strike capability that can penetrate the most sophisticated defenses. If they want that, the F-18, not the Rafale, is one of the few ways to go, particularly because it can come with the Growler and Hawkeye if the want. Any Brazilian decison to buy F-18s could create a major arms race in South America because up until Venezuela got Sukhois South Amrercian AFs had all operated light, short range, defensive fighters; eg. what would Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Venezuela so? To me, the smart move is to focus on building their economy, exploiting their natural resources, particularly oil at sea, and spending only the minimum they need to protect their homeland and oceanic claims, and therefore no F-18s. It will be very interesting to see what they do.
Any thoughts?
I should have given my name for the last blog. Its Christopher Dye.