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New WikiLeaks publications this week show how the U.S. government is trying to beat out competition from the French to sell military jets to Brazil. American diplomats have been telling Brazilian government officials that the competing Rafale Dassault jet is less efficient and more expensive than the Boeing F18 Super Hornet, according to WikiLeaks.
The stakes are high in the competition for the Brazilian military contract. The winning aircraft manufacturer could get a contract worth $9 billion.
The Brazilian government plans to make a final choice in early 2012.
The contract for 36 jets was delayed by Brazilian government budget cuts. It contains options for the Brazilians to purchase as many as 120 of the aircraft.
Swedish manufacturer Saab also is competing to sell the Brazilians its JAS-39 Gripen NG fighter jets.
A May 19, 2009 memo from the American Embassy in Brazil shows U.S. diplomats are worried the French might have the upper hand in the competition.
The F18 Super Hornet Boeing is still seen by many Brazilians as a second or third choice for the [contract], says the memo sent from the embassy to the U.S. State Department.
It also says the superiority of the Super Hornet might not be the determining factor in the Brazilians choice of a contractor.
Part of the problem is that the United States appeared to be hesitant to transfer its technology for making the Super Hornet to the Brazilians, whereas the French were more willing to cooperate, the memo says.
In addition, French President Nicolas Sarkozy had personal ties with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva that appeared to be giving the Rafale aircraft an advantage. Personal relations are considered a higher priority in Brazil than the United States in choosing contractors, according to the WikiLeaks publications.
American Embassy staff suggested a two-pronged strategy to improve Boeings chances.
First, they hoped President Obama would telephone Lula to try to convince him the American offer was the best.
Second, they planned to go on the offensive against the Rafale by telling the Brazilians about its shortcomings compared with the Super Hornet.
The last memo published by WikiLeaks on the Brazilian competition was in January 2010. Months later, Lula left office after his second term.
His successor, Dilma Rousseff, is considered to be more pro-American than Lula, possibly increasing chances Boeing will win the contract.
Since she took office in January, Boeing has lobbied hard.
Christopher Chadwick, president of Boeings military aircraft division, promised the Brazilian Senate a full technology transfer if the American company wins the contract.
Brazilian lawmakers allowed Boeing to set up a flight simulator last month in an entrance hall outside their legislative offices.
The flight simulator allows them to experience what it feels like to fly a Super Hornet in air combat and for bombing runs against land and sea targets. Boeing officials said they wanted to demonstrate their sophisticated avionics.
In addition, Obama spoke with Rousseff to assure her the Super Hornet would be built under terms favorable to Brazil.
Rousseff made technology transfer a condition before any American proposal would be considered.
The new aircraft would replace Brazils fleet of French Mirage jets, which are considered outdated.
The new aircraft are built with radar-evading Stealth technology and more sophisticated computerized flight control systems.
Read more: WikiLeaks reveals tough competition to win Brazilian jet fighter contract | AHN
The stakes are high in the competition for the Brazilian military contract. The winning aircraft manufacturer could get a contract worth $9 billion.
The Brazilian government plans to make a final choice in early 2012.
The contract for 36 jets was delayed by Brazilian government budget cuts. It contains options for the Brazilians to purchase as many as 120 of the aircraft.
Swedish manufacturer Saab also is competing to sell the Brazilians its JAS-39 Gripen NG fighter jets.
A May 19, 2009 memo from the American Embassy in Brazil shows U.S. diplomats are worried the French might have the upper hand in the competition.
The F18 Super Hornet Boeing is still seen by many Brazilians as a second or third choice for the [contract], says the memo sent from the embassy to the U.S. State Department.
It also says the superiority of the Super Hornet might not be the determining factor in the Brazilians choice of a contractor.
Part of the problem is that the United States appeared to be hesitant to transfer its technology for making the Super Hornet to the Brazilians, whereas the French were more willing to cooperate, the memo says.
In addition, French President Nicolas Sarkozy had personal ties with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva that appeared to be giving the Rafale aircraft an advantage. Personal relations are considered a higher priority in Brazil than the United States in choosing contractors, according to the WikiLeaks publications.
American Embassy staff suggested a two-pronged strategy to improve Boeings chances.
First, they hoped President Obama would telephone Lula to try to convince him the American offer was the best.
Second, they planned to go on the offensive against the Rafale by telling the Brazilians about its shortcomings compared with the Super Hornet.
The last memo published by WikiLeaks on the Brazilian competition was in January 2010. Months later, Lula left office after his second term.
His successor, Dilma Rousseff, is considered to be more pro-American than Lula, possibly increasing chances Boeing will win the contract.
Since she took office in January, Boeing has lobbied hard.
Christopher Chadwick, president of Boeings military aircraft division, promised the Brazilian Senate a full technology transfer if the American company wins the contract.
Brazilian lawmakers allowed Boeing to set up a flight simulator last month in an entrance hall outside their legislative offices.
The flight simulator allows them to experience what it feels like to fly a Super Hornet in air combat and for bombing runs against land and sea targets. Boeing officials said they wanted to demonstrate their sophisticated avionics.
In addition, Obama spoke with Rousseff to assure her the Super Hornet would be built under terms favorable to Brazil.
Rousseff made technology transfer a condition before any American proposal would be considered.
The new aircraft would replace Brazils fleet of French Mirage jets, which are considered outdated.
The new aircraft are built with radar-evading Stealth technology and more sophisticated computerized flight control systems.
Read more: WikiLeaks reveals tough competition to win Brazilian jet fighter contract | AHN
