Brazil FX-2 decision hoped soon says defence minister

“Brazil’s defense minister, Celso Amorim, says he hopes a government decision concerning the purchase of 36 new fighter aircraft for the Brazilian air force will be taken before the first term of the year is over.”

“He says there is urgency because maintenance on the current fleet of Mirage 2000s is going to become “extremely expensive” from 2013.”

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&newspaperUserId=27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3ab9f8d0c1-8fcf-4325-b972-d5d96eb58331&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest

I don’t see Brazil getting many aircraft in 2013 so it looks like a lot of money will have been avoidably wasted through the selection process taking so long. However, there is a strong incentive not to waste more than you are already going to waste so the selection may well take place soon IMO.

I wonder if Switzerland’s order means SAAB can better its offer if need be.