Brazil New interim Fighter

Brazilian government is finalizing a deal with US for the lease of 18 F-14D Tomcats. The final discussions were made during Mr. Donald Rumsfeld visit to Brazil last week. The figures regarding the transaction were not disclosed.

The deliveries will start on January 2006 and the jets will be based at Anápolis AB replacing the old fleet of Mirages III that will end service on December 2005. 14 jets will be operational and four will be put in reserve.

According to Brazilian officials, the jets will be in service for at least 10 years until a new fighter will enter service, and negotiations are going very well with Dassault for the RAFALE.

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