U.S. and Russia Compete for Brazil’s Future Air Force

Ray Walser / February 01, 2011

As a rising international power, Brazil under President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva outlined a comprehensive national defense plan aimed at controlling and defending national territory, extending its maritime reach, and developing cutting-edge defense technology. The plan calls for reorganization of the army, air and space capabilities to cover Brazil’s extensive territory (including the Amazon), and augmented maritime defense capabilities reportedly designed to project Brazil’s offshore oil deposits.

Brazil’s original shopping list included a nuclear-powered submarine and as many as 36 advanced fighter aircraft. Proposals to update the Brazilian air force have been on the drawing boards for over a decade as the Brazilians seek to modernize their aging air fleet. Since 2008, it appeared that France held the inside position to win the multi-billion-dollar contest by providing Brazil with their Rafale F-X2 fighter, built by Dassault Aviation. (more…)