Thursday, December 19, 2013

'NSA ruined it!' Brazil ditches Boeing jets, grants $4.5 bln contract to Saab...

Brazil has rejected a contract for Boeing’s F/A-18 fighter jets in favor of the Swedish Saab’s JAS 39 Gripens. The unexpected move to reject the US bid comes amid the global scandal over the NSA’s involvement in economic espionage activities.

The announcement for the purchase of 36 fighters was made Wednesday by Brazilian Defense Minister Celso Amorim and Air Force Commander Junti Saito. The jets will cost US$4.5 billion, well below the estimated market value of around US$7 billion.

Saito said the development of the fighters will occur in conjunction with Embraer and other unspecified companies.

The 12 Mirage aircraft currently in use by the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) will be retired at the end of this year. They were acquired by Brazil in 2005. As it waits for the new fighters, the FAB will use the F5 style, which will stay viable up to 2025. Full story...

Related posts:
  1. World’s anger at Obama policies goes beyond Europe and the NSA...
  2. Germany, Brazil enlist 19 more countries for anti-NSA UN resolution...
  3. Brazil announces secure email to counter US spying...
  4. Brazil to host global internet summit in ongoing fight against NSA
  5. On Internet, Brazil is beating US at its own game...
  6. Brazil looks to break from U.S.-centric Internet...

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