Brazil seeks to receive Swedish fighter jets in advance

Criado em 23/12/13 12h00 e atualizado em 23/12/13 12h04
Por Paulo Victor Chagas Fonte:Agência Brasil

Brasília – Brazilian Defense Minister Celso Amorim informed his fellow Swedish Minister Karin Enström about Brazil’s interest in receiving fighter jets Gripen C and D in advance, as the first units of the model purchased by Brazil – Gripen NG (New Generation) – are not due to be delivered before 2018. Models C and D are versions prior to the one bought by the country. The ministers talked over the phone on Friday (Dec. 20), according to a note issued by the Brazilian ministry.

The Swedish minister declared that early in 2014 she will provide the Brazilian government “concrete proposals on the early concession of the fighter jets”, and the training of the Brazilian Air Force (“FAB”) so they can become capable of operating the new aircraft. The jets will be produced and assembled in a collaboration with Brazil’s Embraer. All contracts regarding this partnership should be signed by the end of next year.

The note announced Enström’s invitation to Minister Celso Amorim to visit Sweden in the first semester of 2014. It also reports that the Defense Minister will create a workgroup with representatives from the Ministry of Planning and that of Treasury, so they can follow the negotiations closely.

Technicians from Saab, the jet manufacturer, and from the Defense Ministry held their first meeting on Friday (Dec. 20), in Brasília, to discuss working plans.

Brazil chose 36 Swedish Gripen NG fighter jets, priced at $4.5 billion that are to be delivered by 2023. Apart from the Swedish company, bids were submitted by US Boeing, with their F/A-18E/F Super Hornet; and France’s Rafale F3, from Dassault. The Swedish model will replace FAB’s Mirage 2000 units, expected to be put out of use this month.

Edited by Carolina Pimentel / Nira Foster
Translated by Fabrício Ferreira