France To Buy Military Transports Built By Embraer

Brazil and France announced Monday that the two countries will extend their military relationship with Brazil's purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets, and  the technology to build its own.

Dassault Rafale

The announcement was made jointly by visiting French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on the occasion of Brazil's independence day. The four-to-six billion dollar deal is intended to supply Brazil with modern fighter aircraft for the next 30 years.

The French News Service AFP reports Brazil has already agreed to buy 50 military transport helicopters from France. It's only aircraft carrier had been mothballed by the French Navy, but was re-commissioned by Brazil in 2000.

President Lula said he hopes to make Brazil the regions' military powerhouse, saying he believes Brazil is destined to be "one of the great powers of the 21st century."  Brazil has also bought five submarines from the French, one which is slated to be converted to nuclear power. Brazil is growing in economic and political clout in the region, and Lula has shown a determination to have a military to match. He said he hopes to maintain control over the Amazon rain forest and recently discovered offshore oil fields, two of the nation's largest natural resources. The oil fields could make Brazil one of the world's top oil producers.

Embraer KC-390

In return, France has agreed to buy 10 KC-390 military transport aircraft being built by the Brazilian air force in conjunction with Brazilian national aircraft manufacturer Embraer. France is also committed to buying the heavier-lift Airbus A400 transport, but that program has been delayed.

The Rafale was chosen over the F/A-18 Hornet and the Saab Gripen NG, and the export contract will be the first for Dassault Aviation. Brazil said full technology sharing was more important in their decision than the cost of the aircraft.

FMI: www.dassault.fr/en/filiale.php?docid=70