The Brazilian Air Force decision to buy 36 fighter jets to revamp its fleet of fighters has been postponed until next year as a result of massive budget cuts.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff is reported to have seen no ‘climate’ for the acquisition in 2011, and has said such a move in the midst of a $30bn slash in the year’s budget would be an ‘inconsistency’.
Defence Minister Nelson Jobim said the pending deal would not be impacted by the cuts, but pointed out there were ‘no budget expenditures this year’ for the fighter contract.
Jobim said the Brazilian Armed Forces would take its time to choose the best bid and begin negotiations on the terms of the deal, according to AFP.
Aircraft vying for the estimated $4bn-$7bn contract include the French-made Rafale, Sweden’s Gripen NG and the US F-18 Super Hornet.
