Posted on 02/07/2010 11:13:34 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
The Brazilian government has decided to acquire 36 Rafale fighter aircraft made by France's Dassault Aviation SA for $6.2 billion, local newspaper Folha de S. Paulo reported Thursday.
The report cited an unnamed source close to the government as saying that the acquisition was decided by Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Defense Minister Nelson Jobim.
Officials at the presidential palace and defense ministry couldn't be immediately reached for comment by Dow Jones Newswires.
Earlier this year, the Brazilian Air Force concluded a technical report that evaluated proposals from Dassault, Sweden's Saab AB and Boeing Co.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.morningstar.com ...
They’ve denied this report and said they’ve not decided yet.
Please not date-
Brazil denies jet deal done after reported Rafale price cut
06/02/2010 23:13:00
http://tripolipost.com/articledetail.asp?c=2&i=4064
Then there are conflicting reports then
More money going to Paris when it should go to the USA. We got to start marketing American stuff.
Rafale is a better airplane than anything the US currently offers for export.
It can’t get more official than this-
Press Release: F-X2 Program
(Source: Brazilian Ministry of Defence; issued Feb. 4, 2010)
(Issued in Portuguese; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)
The Ministry of Defence announces that the Air Force Command submitted to the Ministry on 06 January 2010 the final report of the technical evaluation of the aircraft included in the selection of the technology package for the new model of multi-role aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), which was resumed in April 2008.
Since 06 January, the report has been reviewed by internal agencies of the Ministry of Defence which are carrying out an analysis of political, strategic and financial aspects of the technology package.
These reviews are proceeding on the basis of the National Defense Strategy approved in December 2008.
The Ministry of Defence will also take into account other information submitted by the Governments concerned and by the bidders.
Once the process is finished, the Minister of Defense shall submit the findings to the President of the Republic.
Public Affairs Department
Ministry of Defence
-ends-
The Rafale came last among the three contenders for this contract in an airforce audit. The Swedish built Gripen-BR (using an American engine) came first while the Super Hornet came second.
About the Rafale, its a damn good aircraft, but saying its better than anything the US offers for export is a bit too rich. For one its too expensive and many of its systems are still in development. Finally, its an all-French product, so not much scope for REAL codevelopment or industrial cooperation. While the Super Hornet is not as agile, it’s cheaper and all systems on offer are Available.
Why would Brazil spend so much money on an Air Force? They have no enemies. Maybe Venezuela, but holy cow...
I hope they are getting spare parts, missiles, and a lot more. 36 planes at 6.2 Billion is 177 Million per jet. That’s F-22 territory.
Brazil has been very cozy with Iran and Venezuela.
Admittedly, I am a bit out of date here, but one major point is the range - IIRC Hornet is always shortlegged, w/o fuel tanks, and even to some degree with. Rafale not so much.
I would prefer the Brazilians to have the F/A-18 Super Hornet
The Superbug would have a higher operating and life cycle cost than the Rafale or the Gripen, considering that Brazil is fairly large in area and wants a more maintainable aircraft.
I have always liked the plane. So my bias is showing.
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