Brazil in ‘urgent’ need of fighter jets

is in “urgent” need of new combat aircraft despite this year’s budget cuts.
The French Dassault’s Rafale fighter, the US Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet and the Swedish Saab’s Gripen NG have long been in stiff competition for the estimated US$4-7 billion contract, as Brazil has postponed a final decision.
Brazil earlier this year postponed the expected purchase to 2012, citing the need for budget cuts in 2011 due to the deteriorating world economy. But Defense Minister Celso Amorim said on Thursday that there was little time to waste, as Brazil’s current fleet is ageing rapidly. – AFP.