US official: Brazil to get technology in jet deal

[Judi Lynn]

US official: Brazil to get technology in jet deal
Posted On: Feb 21, 2011

WASHINGTON (AFP): Brazil would receive a "significant technology transfer" if it buys US-made fighter jets, a US Defence Department official said, seeking to ease concerns before Brazil selects a winning bidder.

The transfer of military technology is a key factor for Brazil as it considers Boeing's F-18 Super Hornet, the Rafale by France's Dassault, and the Gripen NG made by Saab of Sweden, for a contract worth between USD 4 billion and USD 7 billion.

"I would argue that the technology transfer that we are offering of this magnitude would put Brazil at par with our close partners," Frank Mora, deputy assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere affairs, told a legislative committee Friday.

When asked if it were accurate that Brazil should not have doubts about the commitment to the technology transfer, he replied: "That is correct."

~snip~
President Barack Obama is scheduled to visit Brazil in late March as part of a tour that includes stops in Chile and El Salvador.

http://www.brahmand.com/news/US-official-Brazil-to-get-technology-in-jet-deal/6359/1/17.html

[Judi Lynn]

1. More options available from other countries discussed in this article:

Brazil delays jet deal
by Staff Writers
Brasilia, Brazil (UPI) Feb 21, 2011

~snip~
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

[social_critic]

2. Swedish option looks best

I would go with the Swedish option. But I wouldn't spend too much money on those planes, all manned craft will soon be obsolete, replaced by drones.