Mario Fonseca/RIO DE JANEIRO
Dassault has tabled a proposal for Embraer and Enaer of Chile to co-produce the Mirage 2000-5, ahead of the Brazilian air force unveiling a $3.5 billion equipment modernisation plan and in an effort to forestall an anticipated Chilean air force order for Lockheed Martin F-16s.
The Dassault plan envisages the co-production of at least 100 fighters, with 70 for the Brazilians and 30 for Chile's air force. The two countries have a long-standing requirement to modernise their air defence and interdiction forces.
Embraer would produce the entire fuselage and flight control surfaces, final assembly and flight testing. Enaer would construct the tail and wings, while powerplant, avionics and mission equipment would come from France.
The F-16C/D is widely believed to be Chile's preferred choice over the Mirage 2000-5 and Saab/BAE Systems Gripen, but a shortage of funds has progressively cut the planned initial purchase to six aircraft, plus options. Chile's recently elected president, Ricardo Lagos, who is visiting Brazil, has already postponed a final decision until later this year.
Enaer already produces lower fuselage structures for the Dassault Falcon 900 and 2000 and is a maintenance and upgrade centre for Mirage III/V/50 fighters. It also has a growing relationship with Embraer as a subcontractor.
The Dassault proposal covers export sales to other countries on the continent. The scheme is aimed at an up-coming bid for the Brazilian F-X programme, with the Mirage 2000-5 pitted against the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, F-16C/D, Gripen, RSKMiG-29SMT and Sukhoi Su-30MK.
Brazilian president Fernando Cardoso has announced a $3.5 billion plan to modernise the air force over the next eight years, including $700 million for the F-X. The programme will also receive about $490 million this year to remedy continuing spares shortages that have grounded 45% of the available fleet (Flight International, 27 June-3 July).
The remaining funds include a Northrop F-5BR upgrade, purchase of 12 EADS C295 transports and 66 Embraer A-29/AT-29 ALX light strike aircraft.
Source: Flight International
