U.S Embassy Statement on FX-2 Competition
(Source: US Embassy in Brasilia; issued Sept. 9, 2009)
BRASÍLIA, Brazil --- The United States Mission to Brazil has received a number of public inquiries regarding the status of the FX-2 bid made by Boeing. We understand that a final decision has not yet been made regarding the winner of the contract.
The F/A-18 Super Hornet is a combat-proven fighter with advanced technology, and we believe it is the best in comparison to its competitors. The U.S. Government fully supports the sale of the F/A-18 Super Hornet to the Brazilian Air Force. Our government approved the transfer of all necessary technology. We continue to believe that our proposal is strong and competitive.
The United States Congress’ review of the potential sale to the Government of Brazil of the F/A-18 Super Hornet concluded on September 5 with no formal objection to the proposed sale. This means that U.S. Government’s approval of the transfer to Brazil of the advanced technologies associated with the U.S. Government’s offer of the F/A-18 Super Hornet is final. Final assembly of the Super Hornet in Brazil has also been approved by the U.S. Government.
Boeing's multi-billion dollar offset package to be invested directly into the Brazilian aerospace industry will transfer technology related to military design and production, provide autonomy in key areas of program support, and develop a broad Brazilian aerospace industry beyond just fighter aircraft, through direct involvement with the world’s largest aerospace company.
The United States welcomes the opportunity to enter into open negotiations for the FX-2 competition, which would build on the strong military partnership that Brazil and the United States enjoy, based on common interests and shared values.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: While the US government’s notification to Congress of a possible sale to Brazil of F-18s states that “offsets agreements associated with this proposed sale are expected,” it should be noted that it mentions neither advanced technology transfer nor local assembly, as claimed in the above statement.) (ends)
Agreement with France Provides Technology to Modernize the Armed Forces
(Source: Communications Secretariat of the Brazilian Presidency via the Ministry of Defence; dated Sept. 8, issued Sept. 9, 2009)
BRASILIA --- Brazil and France on Monday (Sept. 7) signed a military agreement worth about 24 billion Brazilian reals to be paid over 20 years to modernize the Brazilian Armed Forces. The funds will be invested in the purchase of 50 military transport helicopters and five submarines, one of them nuclear-powered. Also, there are negotiations for the purchase of combat aircraft. France has expressed interest in buying about ten KC-390 military transport aircraft which will be manufactured in Brazil by Embraer.
This is the largest agreement of its kind signed by the Brazilian government since the Second World War, and is of historical significance because it involves transfer of technology.
This negotiating option will generate jobs for Brazil, and opportunities to export its military equipment, jointly with France, to Africa and Latin America. According to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil is investing in a defense project aimed at building peace on the continent, confidence, integration and regional development.
The agreement - According to the Ministry of Defense, France will contribute to the development of the KC-390 aircraft, a cargo jet that Embraer is developing under contract for the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) to replace the US-manufactured Hercules propeller planes. France will be able to buy ten of these new aircraft. Brazil has also opened negotiations with the French company GIE Rafale to purchase 36 Rafale fighter jets as part of the project FX-2, to equip the Brazilian Air Force.
The Joint Communiqué on the progress in the negotiations on the Rafale and the KC-390 was released on Monday by President Lula and the President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy. The program envisages the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine (with intermediate construction of four conventional ones) and the production of 50 French EC-725 transport helicopters. The construction of a shipyard and of a naval base in Itaguai, in Rio de Janeiro state, where the submarines will be assembled, with French technology, will begin next year.
"This is the consolidation of a strategic partnership of two people who have much in common," said President Lula. He stressed that the partnership is not just commercial. "We want to think together, create together, build together and, if possible, sell together," he said, adding that by the end of this week more details of the negotiations will be disclosed.
Also according to President Lula, the initiative will protect Brazil against a possible threat to the wealth of the seabed. "Making investments in the area of defense is taking care of our territory and of our sovereignty with greater care. After all, one should never forget that oil has been the focus of many wars, many conflicts, and we want neither war nor conflict, "he said. The 50 military transport helicopters will be produced by Helibras, which has France’s Eurocopter among its shareholders.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Although attributed by the Brazilian Ministry of Defence to the Communications Secretariat of the Brazilian Presidency, this statement has not been posted on the Presidency’s website.)
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