Brazil is close to finalising an $8 million deal to acquire 22 Atlas Impala I (MB326M) jet trainers from the South African Air Force, according to sources within the Brazilian air force. The proposed deal also covers the provision of 48 Rolls-Royce Viper engines, airframe spares and an option to buy a further 23 surplus aircraft.
If completed, the deal will enable Brazil's air force to expand its inventory of around 30 flightworthy T-26 Xavante (MB326GB) trainers and extend the type's service life until 2010.
Used for fast jet and fighter weapons training, its Embraer-built Xavante fleet has been steadily dwindling since 2001 as time-expired airframes have been withdrawn from service.
Earlier interim options included the possible purchase of additional Northrop F-5F Tiger IItwo-seat fighter trainers, or the modification of single-seat F-5Es to the two-seat configuration by California-based Tiger Century Aircraft. The latter would have been brought up to the Embraer-developed F-5EM/FM standard.
The air force had been eyeing Embraer's AMX-T as a potential replacement lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT), but budgetary cuts forced it to shelve these plans last year. It now expects to receive funds to launch an acquisition programme for a new LIFT fleet by 2007.
Source: Flight International
