Brazil's Defense Ministry Says Fighter Jet Tender Still Open
September 09 2009 - 9:37AM
Dow Jones News
Brazil's Defense Ministry late Tuesday issued a statement saying
it still has not chosen between French, U.S. and Swedish options
for its new fighter jet force.
The Defense Ministry's release contradicts Foreign Affairs
Minister Celso Amorim, who said Monday that Brazil had opted for
the French Rafale jet and was in negotiations with Dassault
Aviation SA (AM.FR) to buy 36 of the aircraft.
"The selection process for the FX-2 (fighter) project, conducted
by air force high command, has not been completed and negotiations
continue with three participants," said the statement signed by
Defense Minister Nelson Jobim.
The government appears to be backtracking as, apart from
Amorim's comments, the French and Brazilian government issued a
joint statement Sunday that indicated Brazil was negotiating
exclusively with Dassault.
Dassault is competing with Boeing Co. (BA) and Saab (SAAB-B.SK)
of Sweden for the contract, which could be worth up to $10
billion.
According to the Defense Ministry, during an official visit led
by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the French government
committed to offering the Rafale jets to Brazil at competitive
prices comparable to those paid by the French armed forces. The
French government also expressed interest in purchasing KC-390
military cargo jets from Brazilian planemaker Embraer (ERJ), the
statement added.
-By Alastair Stewart; Dow Jones Newswires; 5511 2847-4520;
alastair.stewart@dowjones.com