Brazil Offered F-16s, Not F-35s

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Brazil Offered F-16s, Not F-35s
Aug 27, 2008

Graham Warwick

Lockheed Martin has offered Brazil a tailored version of the F-16 instead of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter originally specified in the request for information (RFI) issued in July, a move that suggests the U.S. is not quite ready to offer its latest fighter beyond the JSF partner nations and close allies.

The F-16BR is one of six contenders for the F-X2 program. Brazil also requested information on the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen and Sukhoi Su-35, with the field expected to be narrowed to two or three candidates ahead of a contract award early next year.

Brazil requested information on the F-35, but Lockheed says it responded “with a ‘best value’ solution of the Advanced F-16 ... tailored to meet the requirements outlined in the RFI.” The F-16BR configuration has been developed “to satisfy the originating requirements, inventory and delivery dates, offset and industrial cooperation ... with the most advanced and capable F-16 available.”

The Brazilian air force has a $2.2 billion budget for an initial batch of up to 36 aircraft for delivery beginning in 2015, but could eventually require up to 120 new fighters to replace its fleets of Dassault Mirage 2000s and upgraded Northrop F-5Ms and Embraer/Alenia A-1Ms.

Analysts at Washington-area consultancy Forecast International say that although Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva likely has been stirred by Venezuela’s military buildup, he also recognizes a need to rectify his country’s deficient level of armaments and boost Brazil’s position in the region. In an Aug. 26 statement, the analysts said da Silva has increased pressure to make funds available for two ambitious military programs previously sidelined due to funding problems, the F-X2 and new nuclear submarines.

Nuclear sub

In February, Brazil announced that it and Argentina will develop the nuclear reactor for the new sub while France will provide the basic design. Design and construction of the hull alone will take 12-14 years, according to the analysts, with the overall program not yielding “tangible” results until 2020-2024.

Meanwhile, Brazilian officials also are crafting a new strategic plan due out Sept. 7 that eyes long-term economic and military benefits. Plans are expected to shift defense priorities away from the southern borders to the Amazon region in the north, the Atlantic coast and air space, according to Rebecca Barrett, Forecast International analyst. It also will focus on a rapid-deployment model, with modular regional brigades that could quickly reach an area of contention.

Also expected to be outlined is the government’s interest in including technology transfer in future procurements.

Photo: USAF

Source
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