Brazil says fighter competition still on, Rafale selection not final

The selection process of the project FX-2, led by Air Force Command, has not yet closed, and will continue with negotiations with the three participants, which will be expanded and, eventually, could lead to redefined offers, the Brazilian defense minister Nelson A. Jobim said in a press release. Elaborating on the background, the defense minister said, on September 6, the President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, during a meeting with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, expressed the French government’s interest to extend the partnership between the two countries to the aviation industry. He said the French government assumes, among others, a commitment to offer the Rafale aircraft to Brazil at competitive and reasonable prices, comparable to those paid by the French military. He also stated France’s intention to acquire KC-390 aircraft, currently being designed by Embraer, the defense minister added.