April 28, 2005
MosNews
Russia’s arms trading concern Rosoboronexport has suggested Brazil buy used Su-27 SKM fighter jets to replace French Mirages, Russian daily Vremya Novostei reported.
The deal would cost an estimated $700-750 million, but according to the terms of the contract, part of the money has to be spent by the supplier of the jets on offset programs in Brazil. If Su-27s are sold to Brasilia, Russia will have to provide servicing and teach Brazilian personnel. These contract specifications are the only ones Brazil can offer to an arms producer because of the critical shortage of financing.
Brazil has announced tenders for the purchase of foreign fighter jets several times since 2000. Russia’s Sukhoi, in partnership with Brazilian aircraft constructor Avibras, was the preferred choice, but the 12 new Su-35 jets offered to Brazil were too expensive.
Russia is ready to sell cheaper Su-27 aircraft, already used by the Russian air force, but with modifications. A lease deal could be another solution if the Russian law allowed it.
The Su-27 was one of the main Russian exhibits on display at the Latin America Aero and Defense Show 2005 (LAAD).
Interfax news agency also reported Thursday that at the exhibition a private Brazilian firm and a subsidiary of Sukhoi signed a contract on the purchase of 50 Russian Be-103 amphibious planes over the next 10 years.
http://www.mosnews.com/news/2005/04/28/brazilsu.shtml