Rio 2016 Olympics: Sweden to lend Brazil fighter jets
Sweden will loan Brazil several
Gripen NG fighter jets, the kind the South American country recently purchased
from Swedish firm Saab, in time for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, a
media report said.
The jets will be loaned to Brazil by
the Swedish Air Force, since the 36 purchased won't be ready for delivery until
2023, reported Xinhua Friday citing Brazilian news website G1. Rio 2016 Summer
Olympics are to be held in Rio de Janeiro between Aug 5-21
Brazil made the purchase to upgrade
its air force fleet of Mirage jets, which are about to be retired.
Brazilian Air Force Brigadier Jose
Augusto Crepaldi Affonso, who headed the decision to buy the Swedish jets, over
US or French-made ones, told G1 that six to 12 jets will be lent to Brazil in
time to bolster security during the summer games.
Asked if the jets will be in Brazil
in time for the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals, to be hosted by 12 Brazilian cities
in June and July, Crepaldi said it was unlikely, as the negotiations on the
loan have yet to take place.
"I think the chances are too
small, around 20 percent," said Crepaldi. "But for the Olympic Games,
they will certainly be here."
Brazil announced its decision to buy
fighter jets from Saab, in a deal worth $4.5 billion, Wednesday, saying it took
into account cost and technology transfer.
Separately, Saab said on Friday that
it could eventually export to other countries jets that it manufactures in
Brazil.
Company Vice President Lennart
Sindahl, in an interview with Brazilian daily O Globo, said Saab will set up a
factory in Sao Jose dos Campos, Sao Paulo state, to produce the Gripen jets.
According to Sindahl, after manufacturing
the 36 jets bought by Brazil, the plant could go on to build planes for export
to Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Source: India Today
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