LINKOPING, Sweden, May 20 (UPI)

A research-and-development center for transport, logistics, defense and security was inaugurated in Brazil this week by Saab of Sweden.

Named the Centro de Inovacao e Pesquisa Sueco-Brasileiro, or CISB, the center brings together more than 40 partners and organizations that sit on the board and its thematic committees to decide on activity focus and projects.

The concept of the center is to gather main stakeholders from the public, academia and industry to tackle key societal challenges with technology, including the sector of urban development.

"Saab guaranteed the start up of the center and our intent is to invest in a number of projects with Brazilian acedemia and industry," said Hakan Buskhe, Saab's president and chief executive officer. "I believe the center will generate innovations with corresponding business both in Brazil, Sweden and internationally."

Buskhe said that among projects to be undertaken are a coastal surveillance radar based on state-of-the-art phased array technology in collaboration with Brazilian company Atmos and a datalink development project.

18/05/11 By Arie Egozi Flight International

Elbit Systems has been selected to supply its Hermes 900 unmanned air system to the Chilean defence forces. The choice was made after the nation's air force and army evaluated the type and Israel Aerospace Industries rival Heron. Elbit declined to confirm the report, saying it "does not refer to rumours. We report only after a contract is signed". However, if finalised, a sale would represent the first export success for its Hermes 900. Developed from the smaller Hermes 450, which has accumulated more than 190,000 flight hours, the design features a 15m (49ft) wingspan and has a maximum take-off weight of 1,100kg (2,420lb). It is capable of performing long-endurance missions at altitudes above 30,000ft.

May 10, 2011 defense-aerospace.com (Source: Rosoboronexport; issued May 10, 2011)

A delegation of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise (FSUE) Rosoboronexport will attend the 3rd SITDEF PERU 2011 (Salon Internacional de Technologia para la Defensa) International Defence Technology Exhibition to be held in Lima, the capital of the Republic of Peru, in the period from 11th to 15th May 2011.

The SITDEF PERU event is supported by the President of Peru Alan Garcia. It is organised by the Peruvian Ministry of Defence. Exhibits in the pavilions of the exhibition will present armoured vehicles, artillery pieces, military and civil aircraft, communication facilities, air defence assets, naval systems, automobiles, civil engineer, medical, de-mining and civil defence equipment.

T-90S

Rosoboronexport is a permanent participant in the Lima exhibition. The first SITDEF PERU was held in November 2007 with the purpose to evaluate options offered in the world arms market for upgrading the Peruvian Armed Forces.

"Russia is proactively promoting its defence products to the Latin American market, - says Sergei Ladygin, the head of the Rosoboronexport Regional Department. - In contrast to other countries, we discuss with our partners not only finished weapons and equipment, but also a wide range of services including post-guarantee maintenance and repairs, supply of spare parts and upgrading of legacy weapons and military hardware received long ago from the former USSR, as well as a licence production of advanced weapon systems. As is known, Mexico has set up a servicing and repairs centre to support operations of Russian-made helicopters, and Venezuela is also building a servicing and repairs centre to maintain Russian helicopters and a training centre to prepare the national armed forces personnel".

A number of contracts have been already signed with Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, Peru and other Latin American countries, which are now being implemented. Russia's military technical cooperation with countries in this region is increasing its value.

Russian-Peruvian cooperation, including in the military technical field, is also gaining momentum from year to year. Peru is one of the very first Latin American partners of Russia (then Soviet Union) in the area of military technical cooperation. It began on 1st February 1969 when diplomatic relations were established. Starting from 1973 Peru took delivery of the T-55 main battle tanks, MiG-29 fighters, Mi-8 helicopters, and other weapon systems and military equipment. In a few years Peru turned into one of the leading South American partners of the USSR, ranking first in the procurement of civil and military aircraft and other products of the machine-building industry. Soviet specialists amassed huge experience in realising various economic projects in Peru. Soviet rescuers and doctors also rendered aid to the Peruvian people after the disastrous earthquake in 1970.

In the 1990s there was an intermission in military technical cooperation between the two countries. It was restarted only in the first decade of the 2000s. Within the scope of the Programme for the Peruvian air fleet modernisation were signed contracts for the upgrading and repairing of the Mi-17 helicopters and MiG-29 fighters. One can mention another well-known contract for the procurement by the Peruvian Army of the Kornet-E Russian antitank missile systems.

A new powerful impulse to the long-term bilateral relations was given in November 2008 when Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and President of Peru Alan Garcia met in Peru and outlined the main directions in the cooperation of Rosoboronexport and Peruvian Ministry of Defence.

Among current military technical projects implemented by Russia and Peru the contract for delivery to the Peruvian Ministry of Defence of six Mi-171Sh and two Mi-35P helicopters is seen as the most important.

Mi-171Sh

Specialists of the Peruvian Ministry of Defence chose these helicopters because of their reliability, endurance and fitness to operation in adverse climatic conditions, as well as exceptional maintainability and substantial upgradability potential.

These rotorcraft inherited unique survivability features from their predecessors which had been employed virtually in all armed conflicts in the second half of the 20th century.

Soviet helicopters earned good reputation in Afghanistan, becoming legends: hundreds of stories were told of the helicopters returning to their bases all pierced with holes from bullets and shells, with their rotor blades, fuel tanks or pipelines badly damaged. And after field repairs they resumed flying combat missions.

In April 2011 two Mi-35P helicopters were shipped to Peru onboard the An-124-100 Ruslan transport aircraft. After assembly they passed acceptance tests and entered into service with the Peruvian Air Force. The first batch of the Mi-171Sh helicopters will be delivered in the near time.

As much topical are issues related to setting up in Peru of a servicing maintenance and overhaul centre for the Mi-8, Mi-17 and Mi-26T helicopters (the corresponding agreement was signed in 2008 in the presence of the Russian and Peruvian presidents). Rosoboronexport proposes that Peru actively develops relations in such areas also as upgrading and procurement of armoured and naval equipment. It continues discussing offers for the procurement of Russian radars, air defence and antitank missile systems, small arms and ammunition, as well as training aids that allow substantial reduction in specialist formation costs.

Great attention is paid to systems which can be used by armed forces in peacetime, first of all during humanitarian relief operations after ruinous natural disasters which break out rather frequently in Latin American countries, including Peru. The Ural family Russian multi-purpose trucks are perfectly suited to help save people found in such difficult circumstances.

Tigr

The Ural trucks are very popular in the region: Mexicans have been actively using them during relief operations in the aftermath of Katrina hurricane, Uruguayans in the UN missions in Congo and Haiti, and Guatemalans in counter-narcotics operations. The Tigr armoured cars can be classed under the same category, for they are as much indispensable when conducting search-and-rescue operations and performing special-purpose missions.

Russia and Peru maintain successful and constantly evolving relations which help raise interest in Russian weapons among other Latin American countries. This allows Rosoboronexport to conduct balanced pricing policy by taking account of a multitude of factors including economic potentials of buying countries.

Rosoboronexport builds its business development strategy on establishing, strengthening and developing long-term partnerships with foreign countries.

In the context of goals set by the Rosoboronexport's delegation at SITDEF PERU 2011 visitors to its stand will be able to get information on the following items of Russian weapons and military equipment:

Ural

-- Intended for army: T-90S main battle tank, BMP-3M infantry combat vehicle, BTR-80A armoured personnel carrier, Smerch multiple launch rocket system, Metis-M1 and Kornet-E antitank missile systems, 152-mm Msta-S self-propelled howitzer, Kalashnikov assault rifles of the hundredth series, various grenade launchers, sniper rifles and sights, GAZ-2330 Tigr special-purpose police automobile, Ural family trucks (with the 4x4 and 6x6 wheel arrangements), etc.

-- Intended for navy: Project 636 large diesel electric submarine and Amur-1650 follow-on development of the Russian diesel electric submarine type, Project 20382 Tigr small patrol ship (corvette), Project 11661 Gepard 3.9 patrol ship, Project 12200 Sobol fast patrol boat, Laguna simulator for training ship steering and control operators, Club-S and Club-N integrated missile systems, 30-mm AK-630M-2 Duet ship-borne twin artillery gun mount, Bastion stationary coastal missile system with Yakhont antiship missile, etc.

-- Intended for air forces: Su-35 and Su-30MK2 fighters, as well as helicopters: Mi-35M combat transport helicopter, Mi-26T heavy-lift transport helicopter, Mi-171Sh military transport helicopter. In general, the Rosoboronexport delegates are prepared to make detailed presentations of various modifications of Sukhoi and Yakovlev aircraft, Mil and Kamov helicopters and training aids, to Latin American specialists.

-- Intended for air defence units: Tor-M2E air defence missile system, Igla-S man-portable air defence missile system, Strelets air defence missile system, simulator for training operators of the Igla type man-portable air defence missile system, etc.

The exposition will also include a mobile field hospital designed to render first medical aid, treatment and hospitalisation services for casualties.

The above mentioned items do not exhaust the whole list of Russian combat systems represented by Rosoboronexport at its exposition in Peru. It is thought that some of them will get special attention of traditional and new customers who want to procure Russian-made military-purpose products, such as:

-- T-90S tank: its design has drawn on tactical and strategic concepts of armour employment in modern military actions and the long-term operational experience its predecessors had gained in both Russia and abroad. Combat weight - 46.5 t, crew - three persons. The T-90S tank is favourably distinguished from its competitors by small weight and low profile typical of the Russian tank design school.

-- Mi-35M helicopter: it can fly missions in hot and high environments and at low altitudes, take off and land on unequipped pads. The Mi-35M is the world's only combat helicopter capable of performing landing, transportation and medical evacuation missions. It can carry eight troops with individual weapons or 1.5-tonne cargo.

-- 300-mm 9K58 Smerch multiple launch rocket system: designed to defeat enemy fire assets and electronic systems, light armoured vehicles, command and control centres, manpower, aircraft and helicopters on the ground, other targets in battle orders. The Smerch system surpasses all foreign counterparts of this class and purpose.

-- Metis-M1 antitank missile system: designed for deployment with units going into action first. It ensures guaranteed engagement of modern tanks with explosive reactive armour, mobile armoured targets, fortifications, and weapons emplacements.

-- The Igla-S man-portable air defence missile system: it can engage all types of aircraft and helicopters flying at a range of up to six kilometres, as well as small-size air targets. It can be employed round the clock against visible targets and in conditions of enemy thermal jamming. The Igla-S is classed among weapons of new generation for the following qualities namely: unsurpassed accuracy, high power and range of engagement.

-- Project 636 large diesel electric submarine with the Club-S integrated missile system is designed to defeat enemy submarines, surface ships and vessels navigating autonomously or within a formation. Basic specifications of Project 636 diesel electric submarine: displacement - 2,350 cu.m, length - 73.8 m, beam - 9.9 m, full submerged speed - 19 knots, economical cruising range under snorkel with increased fuel reserve at a speed of 7 knots - 7,500 nau.miles, maximum diving depth - 300 m, endurance - 45 days, complement - 52 persons, torpedo tubes - 6 units.

Rosoboronexport welcomes to its stand all participants in and guests at the SITDEF PERU 2011 who are interested in advanced technologies and latest achievements of the Russian defence industry producing highly reliable and effective world's famous weapon systems.

Rosoboronexport is the sole Russian company entitled to export the whole range of military and dual-purpose products, technologies and services. The status of Rosoboronexport allows it to warrant state support for all of its export transactions.

Rosoboronexport highly values its reputation of a reliable partner, and strictly abides by the letter and spirit of Russia’s international military and political commitments, including those in the arms control field.

May 10, 2011 defpro.com

Moscow | A delegation of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise (FSUE) Rosoboronexport will attend the 3rd SITDEF PERU 2011 (Salon Internacional de Technologia para la Defensa) International Defence Technology Exhibition to be held in Lima, the capital of the Republic of Peru, in the period from 11th to 15th May 2011. The SITDEF PERU event is supported by the President of Peru Alan Garcia. It is organised by the Peruvian Ministry of Defence. Exhibits in the pavilions of the exhibition will present armoured vehicles, artillery pieces, military and civil aircraft, communication facilities, air defence assets, naval systems, automobiles, civil engineer, medical, de-mining and civil defence equipment. Rosoboronexport is a permanent participant in the Lima exhibition. The first SITDEF PERU was held in November 2007 with the purpose to evaluate options offered in the world arms market for upgrading the Peruvian Armed Forces. "Russia is proactively promoting its defence products to the Latin American market, - says Sergei Ladygin, the head of the Rosoboronexport Regional Department. - In contrast to other countries, we discuss with our partners not only finished weapons and equipment, but also a wide range of services including post-guarantee maintenance and repairs, supply of spare parts and upgrading of legacy weapons and military hardware received long ago from the former USSR, as well as a licence production of advanced weapon systems. As is known, Mexico has set up a servicing and repairs centre to support operations of Russian-made helicopters, and Venezuela is also building a servicing and repairs centre to maintain Russian helicopters and a training centre to prepare the national armed forces personnel". A number of contracts have been already signed with Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, Peru and other Latin American countries, which are now being implemented. Russia's military technical cooperation with countries in this region is increasing its value.

Le premier EC725 de la marine brésilienne

crédits : EUROCOPTER

04/05/2011 MER et MARINE

Le Brésil renouvelle les moyens aéronautiques de sa marine avec 16 hélicoptères EC725, dont le premier exemplaire, livré en décembre dernier, est désormais opérationnel. Une cérémonie marquant cet évènement s'est déroulée le 11 avril sur la base navale de Rio de Janeiro. Conçus par Eurcopter, les EC725 Super Cougar, appelés « Caracal » en France, font partie du contrat signé en 2008 et portant sur la commande de 50 machines par le Brésil. Au titre de ce programme, Eurocopter travaille avec le groupe brésilien Helibras, qui développe une nouvelle unité de production à Itajuba. Cette usine, qui sera opérationnelle en 2012, va permettre à Helibras de doubler ses effectifs, en passant à 1000 salariés. Concernant la marine brésilienne, les EC725 vont permettre de remplacer l'actuel parc d'hélicoptères de combat, de transport et de sauvetage, constitué de 7 SH-3D Sea King et 7 AS332 Super Puma.

May 3, 2011 defpro.com

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil | U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships, along with their South American partners, prepared for the second half of the Atlantic phase of UNITAS 52 May 1, while in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Sailors and Coast Guardsmen from guided-missile destroyer Nitze (DDG 94), guided-missile frigates USS Thach (FFG 43) and USS Boone (FFG 28), and USCGC cutter Escanaba (WMEC 907), attended various training and preplanning briefs in preparation of the second half of UNITAS, alongside their Brazilian, Mexican and Argentinian counterparts.

"These sessions allowed the team the opportunity to clearly understand the exercise design and answer any safety questions related to the complex events ahead," said Capt. Marc Weeks, commander, Task Group 138.0. "It also allows participants to cover any shortfalls or concerns about the exercise before the ships return to sea."

In addition to the training sessions, each country hosted a reception during which their respective navies were able to showcase their ships, crews and customs in a social environment.

"These events were the highlight of our stay in Rio de Janeiro," said Weeks. "The receptions enabled the re-establishment of old friendships, the development of new individual friendships, and it was a venue for each participating Navy to showcase their individual honors, customs and traditions."

Sailors also gathered for a day of soccer, tug-of-war and other friendly competitions during a sporting events day.

The six-day stop in Rio de Janeiro marked the midway point of the three-week exercise, which runs April 15-May 9.

The ships will spend seven days at sea for the final portion of the exercise. The Atlantic phase will end with a community relations project, wreath laying memorial ceremony and closing ceremony, in Rio Grande, Brazil.

UNITAS, Latin for "unity," is a combined South American and U.S.-sponsored annual exercise series. Active participants for UNITAS 52 include Brazil, the United States, Argentina, Mexico, Peru and Chile.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) supports U.S. Southern Command joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

----

Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Steve Smith, Southern Seas 2011 Public Affairs / NNS

MEXICO, May 3 (RIA Novosti)

The Peruvian Air Force will receive next week three Russian combat helicopters intended for military operations against drugs trafficking and terrorism, Peru's defense minister said. Last July, the Peruvian Defense Ministry and Russian state-controlled arms exporter Rosoboronexport signed a contract for the sale of six Mi-171Sh Hip transport and two Mi-35P Hind E attack helicopters to the South American country. The deal is estimated at $107.9 million. "Three Russian c helicopters will be delivered to Peru on May 9 and 10 and then sent to fight illegal drugs trafficking in the Valley of the Apurimac and Ene River," Defense Minister Jaime Thorne said. The minister added that Peru "hopes to fulfill the contract with Russia by the end of the year and receive the remaining three helicopters." Last month Russia delivered to Peru two Mi-35P Hind E attack helicopters. Peru is one of South America's main cocaine producers along with Bolivia and Columbia. The Valley of the Apurimac and Ene River was declared a zone of military operations in August 2009 as fighting between the government troops and the Shining Path Maoist guerilla group intensified. Shining Path is believed to have strong ties with drug traffickers. The group is on the U.S. and European Union lists of terrorist organizations.

April 26th, 2011 By VMSB – DEFESA Global

General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) could supply additional GDELS-Mowag GmbH Piranha IIIC wheeled armoured vehicles to the Brazilian Navy Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais (CFN). The company has already delivered three of the 18 vehicles procured in October 2008. The fleet comprises 14 personnel carriers, ambulance, command post and a single recovery vehicle. Some of the vehicles are fitted with a dozer blade from Pearson Engineering Ltd. The fleet completes a first batch of six personnel carriers and one recovery vehicle acquired in September 2006 and a second batch composed by five personnel carriers ordered in December 2007.

April 26th, 2011 By VMSB – DEFESA Global

BAE Systems U.S. Combat Systems is to upgrade locally 150 Brazilian Army M113B tracked armoured vehicles to the M113A2 MK1 standard. The contract is expected to be signed in June through the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process includes the installation of Detroit Diesel Corp 6V53T diesel engine with 265 hp, Allison Transmission Inc TX100-1A transmission and Northrop Grumman Cobham Intercoms LLC VIC-3 intercom system, new wheels and tracks, new M17 periscopes, new cabling, brackets for external communication system as well as other mechanical components. The fleet could be equiped with TRC-1193VCL radios from IMBEL/FMCE (Indústria de Material Bélico do Brasil/Fábrica de Material de Comunicações e Eletrônica).  

FREMM française Aquitaine (© : MER ET MARINE - V. GROIZELEAU)

27/04/2011 MER et MARINE

Confrontés aux restrictions des budgets alloués à la défense, les grands industriels du secteur naval n'ont, actuellement, que très peu d'opportunités de signer des contrats majeurs, notamment à l'export. Avec son projet PROSUPER de renouvellement de sa flotte de surface, le Brésil est l'un des rares pays où des programmes d'envergure sont à l'étude. Il n'est donc pas étonnant que la concurrence soit très vive entre industriels. Au travers de PROSUPER, la marine brésilienne souhaite construire 11 nouveaux bâtiments pour une valeur de plus de 3 milliards d'euros. Le projet porte sur 5 frégates d'environ 6000 tonnes, 5 patrouilleurs hauturiers de 1800 tonnes et un bâtiment de ravitaillement. La France, qui a emporté en 2009 le contrat PROSUB portant sur le renouvellement des sous-marins brésiliens (4 Scorpène vendus), se positionne évidemment. DCNS, qui a créé avec le Brésilien Odebrecht une société commune pour la réalisation des sous-marins, d'un chantier et d'une base navale, propose ses derniers produits : La frégate européenne multi-missions (FREMM), les Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) de la famille Gowind et son nouveau concept de bâtiment logistique, baptisé Brave.

Six pays en lice

Mais les Français ne sont pas les seuls en lice, loin s'en faut. En tout, au moins 5 autres pays seraient sur les rangs (Allemagne, Corée du sud, Espagne, Grande-Bretagne et Italie) pour décrocher le contrat. Ces derniers mois, les Italiens, qui proposent notamment leur version de la FREMM, se sont montrés très actifs au Brésil. Les Espagnols, également, sont récemment montés au créneau. Chose assez inhabituelle, Navantia a même, très officiellement, communiqué sur son offre à l'occasion du salon LAAD 2011, qui s'est tenu du 12 au 15 avril à Rio de Janeiro. Le groupe espagnol met en avant ses frégates lance-missiles du type F100, vendues aux marines espagnole et australienne, les OPV réalisés pour le Venezuela et le ravitailleur de combat Cantabria, entré en service en 2010 au sein de l'Armada.

Les Britanniques en embuscade

Si les Allemands et les Coréens semblent plus discrets, les Britanniques sont, eux aussi, sortis du bois. Londres, qui souhaite nouer un partenariat stratégique avec le Brésil, s'est orienté vers une voie originale. Si la vente de matériel neuf reste en ligne de mire à long terme, la Grande-Bretagne propose au Brésil, dans un premier temps, d'acquérir des bâtiments d'occasion. Face aux difficultés budgétaires, qui n'épargnent pas les militaires brésiliens, cette solution présente l'avantage de différer les investissements les plus lourds. Ainsi, peuvent être rapidement transférées les quatre frégates du type 22 batch III, en cours de désarmement au sein de la Royal Navy. Ces bâtiments, qui disposent encore d'un bon potentiel puisqu'ils ont été livrés entre 1988 et 1990, sont une version améliorée des trois ex-frégates britanniques du type 22 batch I, déjà transférées à la marine brésilienne entre 1995 et 1997. En matière de patrouilleurs, BAE Systems essaiera peut être, dans le même temps, de placer les trois patrouilleurs de 2000 tonnes réalisés pour Trinidad et Tobago mais auxquels ce pays a finalement renoncé l'an dernier. Il y a sans doute là, pour la marine brésilienne, une bonne opération à faire, à la fois financièrement et aussi en termes de calendrier (les OPV sont déjà construits).

Porte-avions à l'horizon ?

Sur le plus long terme, en dehors de frégates de nouvelle génération, un éventuel partenariat stratégique anglo-brésilien pourrait aussi déboucher sur une offre en matière de porte-avions. La marine brésilienne, qui souhaite remplacer à la fin de la décennie le Sao Paulo (ex-Foch français), pourrait bien être intéressée par le futur HMS Queen Elizabeth, le premier des deux nouveaux porte-avions britanniques, qui ne doit pas être conservé par la Royal Navy après la mise en service de son quasi-sistership, le HMS Prince of Wales (vers 2020). Moyennant la mise en place de catapultes et de brins d'arrêt (ce qui sera fait pour le Prince of Wales), le HMS Queen Elizabeth, pour le moment prévu pour être doté d'un tremplin dans le cadre de la mise en oeuvre d'avions à décollage court et appontage vertical, pourrait tout à fait convenir à la marine brésilienne. En matière de porte-avions, on notera que seuls les Français semblent également en mesure de proposer une offre aux Brésiliens. DCNS, qui attend toujours qu'une décision soit prise concernant la construction, ou non, du second porte-avions de la Marine nationale, a travaillé sur un nouveau design de bâtiment, qui pourrait lui-aussi convenir au Brésil. Une coopération franco-brésilienne serait, d'ailleurs, une excellente manière de relancer le projet dans l'Hexagone...

MOSCOU, 22 avril - RIA Novosti

Le chasseur russe Sukhoi Su-24 réintègre l'appel d'offres brésilien pour l'achat d'un important lot d'avions polyvalents de combat, a annoncé vendredi par téléphone un représentant de l'industrie de défense brésilienne. "Le chasseur russe Su-35 sera réadmis à l'appel d'offres et il a toutes les chances de le remporter. Le commandement de l'Armée de l'air brésilienne l'apprécie beaucoup", a indiqué le responsable. En 2001, le Brésil a lancé son premier appel d'offres visant à remplacer ses F-5E américains obsolètes. L'avion russe Su-35UB a remporté ce concours grâce à ses caractéristiques techniques, mais les résultats de l'appel d'offres ont été annulés en 2005. Un nouvel appel d'offres a été lancé en 2008. Le chasseur Su-35 de génération 4++ présenté par l'agence russe d'exportation d'armements "Rosoboronexport" n'y a pas été admis. Le concours brésilien a été suspendu en 2010. Parmi les concurrents de l'avion russe figurent les chasseurs américain Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, français Dassault Rafale, suédois Saab JAS 39 Gripen NG et européen Eurofighter Typhoon.

source defense.gouv.fr

BUENOS AIRES, April 20 (UPI)

Argentina and Brazil launched a new partnership aimed at joint manufacture of a military transport jet as part of Argentine plans to secure a niche in South America's defense industries. Brazil is the senior partner in the deal involving KC-390, a medium-sized transport aircraft that is the brainchild of Brazil's Embraer defense manufacturer, already a contender for a greater share of the global arms market. A prototype of the aircraft, designed to transport up to 23 tons of cargo, is expected to be ready by 2013. Actual flight trials will begin in 2014.

Before the deal became public, Argentina had been outlining plans for developing its military manufacturing industries and increasing investment in Fabrica Argentina de Aviones, the company involved in the partnership. FAdeA will be responsible for the manufacture of several structural parts, including the spoilers or plates on the top surface of a wing for controlling wing lift, doors for the nose landing gear, ramp door, flap fairings, tail cone and electronic cabinet. Embraer will be responsible for the manufacture and assembly of other components.

Signing the contract in Rio de Janeiro, both sides expressed optimism the joint production will lead to greater business prospects for both companies. Embraer said the partnership deal was in line with Brazil's overall national defense strategy, which sets out goals for turning the country's military manufacturing industries into a pre-eminent powerhouse and an alternative to suppliers from outside South America. Luiz Carlos Aguiar, president of Embraer defense and security, said he hoped the deal would strengthen both companies' capacity for manufacturing. The plan carries the political subtext of boosting Brazil's status as the de facto regional leader. Embraer is already in competition with European, U.S. and other manufacturers of small executive jets and other transport aircraft.

In October last year Argentina and Brazil signed a declaration of intent that committed Argentina to buying six of the transport jets. "This contract brings the aeronautical industries of both countries together and opens excellent possibilities for our recently recuperated company and for boosting trade relations between the two largest countries in the region" FAdeA President Jaime Saiegh said. FAdeA is seeking to pick up from where Fabrica Militar de Aviones left off during a period of relative inactivity in recent years. The 80-year-old FMA established a track record in the design and manufacture of aircraft -- more than 1,500 so far -- as well as maintenance and repair of civilian and military aircraft. FAdeA has headquarters in Cordoba and is strategically located close to several aeronautics and avionics training centers, a continuing source of skilled staff.

The jointly produced KC-390 will incorporate many of the technological features of the Embraer jets. Both sides are confident of capturing a significant global market on proprietary components and price, which is likely to be at least $10 million less than a direct competitor, Lockheed Martin's C-130J Super Hercules. The jet is likely to carry a price tag of about $50 million. Embraer is hoping to be in the forefront of the military transport jet market as countries across the world consider replacements for nearly 700 military transport aircraft known to be on active duty on international inventories.

18/04/11 By Stephen Trimble Flight International

Brazil has revealed plans for testing the Avibras Falcao, the country's most ambitious unmanned air vehicle project to date. The 600kg (1,320lb)-class UAV is being prepared to achieve first flight in the second quarter of this year, and perhaps even before May, according to military and supply chain officials. The Falcao's first flight will launch the second phase of Project VANT (the Portuguese-language acronym for UAV).

Avibras Falcao Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update

In the two-year-long first phase, the Brazilian air force's department of aerospace science and technology (CTA) completed 59 flights with 1980s-vintage Acaua and Harpia UAVs. Phase one validated the centre's navigation software, said Flavio Araripe, the CTA's Project VANT co-ordinator, speaking at the Latin America Aerospace and Defense 2011 show in early April. For the second phase, the Falcao UAV will demonstrate the CTA's autonomous take-off and landing system, Araripe says. Araripe did not describe details of the CTA's autonomous technology, but a sign next to Avibras's full-scale mock-up described the Falcao's ATOL system as "based on a radar altimeter with [differential GPS]". The Falcao is also described by Avibras marketing materials as carrying a 150kg payload, including a satellite communication antenna, electro-optical sensor and synthetic aperture radar. With the satellite communications antenna engaged, the Falcao has a listed operational range of 1,350nm (2,500km). The range with a line-of-sight datalink drops to 80nm. With the ability to fly 15h missions at 15,000ft (4,570m), the Falcao is intended to be used for army surveillance missions, Araripe says. The CTA also is designing the Falcao to have air force applications, he adds.

At the same time, the Brazilian air force has already acquired a different UAV in the same class. Araripe says that the air force's first UAV squadron will be established by the end of April, flying two Hermes 450 UAVs supplied by Elbit Systems subsidiary Aeroelectronica (AEL) in Brazil. Embraer, meanwhile, has formed a joint venture with AEL to modify the Hermes 450 for Brazilian missions. The modifications could lead to dramatic changes in the design's configuration. For Brazil, one of the driving performance requirements is range. Ran Hallerstein, executive vice-president and co-general manager of Elbit Systems Aerospace, says that need could prompt the Embraer/AEL joint venture to boost the current range of the Hermes 450. "The Hermes 450 has a 150km range and they need 1,500km because Brazil is big," Hallerstein says. "We will figure out how to solve it."