Brazil, Sweden Agree On Military Aeronautics Cooperation

Brazil and Sweden defense ministries signed a Technical Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Military Aeronautics Tuesday, according to a statement made by the Brazilian Ministry of Defense. 

The document signed by Chief of Joint Staff of the Armed Forces (EMCFA), General Jose Carlos De Nardi, and Deputy Minister of Defence of Sweden, Carl von der Esch seeks to strengthen cooperation between Brazil and Sweden.

The general principles that guide the partnership between the two countries in specific relations of Military Aeronautics are defined in the Memorandum. This document, unlike the Framework Agreement signed by the two countries last April, does not need approval from Congress to produce legal effects. 

The areas of cooperation predicted in the Memorandum include: access to and use of fields and test facilities; support in the user group Gripen aircraft; training, training and expertise of pilots and technicians; assistance for certification and quality assurance.

The Swedish Deputy Minister said the agreement is "significant," and entail "opportunities for discussion to define more specific cooperation." Von der Esch is to attend a bilateral meeting with the Minister Celso Amorim at the Ministry of Defense.