France's Rafale fighter has
'exceptional comparative advantage': Lula
(text in portuguese)
BRASILIA, Sept 3, 2009 (AFP) - France's offer to transfer
technology to Brazil gives its Rafale fighter an "exceptional
comparative advantage" in a competition to replace
Brazil's fleet of fighter aircraft, President Luiz
Inacio Lula da Silva told AFP Wednesday.
"A country of Brazil's importance cannot buy
a product from another country without technology
transfer," Lula said in an exclusive interview
with AFP.
"France has shown itself to be the most flexible
country in terms of transferring technology, and evidently,
this is an exceptional comparative advantage,"
the Brazilian president said.
The Rafale, made by France's Dassault, is in fierce
competition with the Swedish-made Gripen and Boeing's
F/A-18 Super Hornet for a contract worth several billion
dollars to supply Brazil with 36 fighter aircraft.
Brazil is looking to buy the aircraft to replace its
aging fleet of 12 French-made Mirage jets.
|
President
Luis Inácio and Defense Minister Jobim
hear Jean-Marc Merialdo from Rafale International
at LAAD 2009 past April in Rio de janeiro |
Lula would not say which aircraft he prefers but said
he may talk Thursday by telephone with France's President
Nicolas Sarkozy after meeting with Brazil's defense
minister and the commander of the air force.
Sarkozy is scheduled to make a 24-hour visit Sunday
to Brasilia where he will be the guest of honor at
Brazil's independence day celebrations.
Lula recalled that during the visit Brazil and France
would finalize a separate deal to acquire French submarines
and helicopters.
"France is the only important country ready to
discuss with us technology transfers in all these
domains," he said.
"Brazil has drawn up a strategic defense plan.
We are convinced ... that because of the Amazon, our
deep-water offshore oil deposits, Brazil should have
a defense industry in keeping with its size and importance,"
Lula said.
