Brazil delays jet deal
by Staff Writers
Brasilia, Brazil (UPI) Feb 21, 2011
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Jobim was also quoted to have said that the military would take its time in choosing the best possible candidate, while negotiations on technical matters and terms of the deal would lead to a final decision by the end of the year.
A decision was expected to have been taken ahead of last year's election but was deferred until after the polls. The pick has been on hold since March.
The political leadership has reportedly shown a clear preference of the French bid, although the military brass has sided by the more affordable Swedish option.
What makes the French bid attractive, experts say, is France's sweetener of transferring technology related to the supersonic Rafale so Brazil, bent on becoming the lead military power in South America, could assemble the jets itself and sell them regionally.
Brazil has already signed a deal with the French for the construction of five submarines in Brazil. The deal includes building a nuclear-powered vessel.
More:
http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Brazil_delays_jet_deal_999.html