Brazil’s air force has received proposals from EADS Casa and PZL Mielec to replace its current Embraer EMB-110 Bandeirante light transports with about 80 new aircraft.
The companies are offering their respective C-212-400 and M-28B Skytruck designs for the $925 million programme, which will be contracted under direct selection by the air force, rather than via public bids.
The air force needs to select a light transport to replace its various Bandeirante models from November 2007, including missionised versions configured for search-and-rescue and maritime surveillance tasks. Its current aircraft also conduct personnel transport and photo-mapping duties.
Unlike other current procurements, the service is interested in establishing an assembly line to licence-build the new aircraft at its Campo de Marte-based São Paulo Air Maintenance Centre.
Brazil outlined a requirement in 2000 to find a domestic replacement for its EMB-110s, for which Embraer – which was reluctant to develop a new aircraft to meet the requirement – proposed buying used EMB-120s and remanufacturing them to EMB-120K military transport standards.
However, the air force found this to be operationally unsuitable and opted to purchase secondhand Cessna 208 Caravans as an interim measure.
Source: Flight International
