(S/NF) KUDOS FOR BRAZIL FIGHTER COMPETITION

S E C R E T STATE 047314

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2034
TAGS: PINR MARR MASS BR
SUBJECT: (S/NF) KUDOS FOR BRAZIL FIGHTER COMPETITION
REPORTING (C-AL9-01070)

REF: A. BRASILIA 000041

B. BRASILIA 001590

C. BRASILIA 001589

D. BRASILIA 000216

E. BRASILIA 000069

Classified By: SUZANNE MCCORMICK, DIR., INR/OPS. REASON: 1.4(C).


1. (S/NF) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS GREATLY APPRECIATE POST'S
CABLES THAT DETAIL THE COMPLEXITIES AND PROGRESS OF THE
BRAZILIAN AIR FORCE'S (FAB) F-X2 FIGHTER COMPETITION
INVOLVING US, FRENCH, AND SWEDISH AIRCRAFT. ANALYSTS HAVE
USED THIS REPORTING IN BRIEFINGS AND OTHER PRODUCTS, TO
INCLUDE A GRAPHIC HIGHLIGHTING A TIMELINE THAT CHARTED THE
FAB'S QUEST FOR A NEW FIGHTER OVER THE PAST EIGHT YEARS.
ANALYSTS HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE TIMELINESS OF POST'S
REPORTING AND ITS ABILITY TO KEEP ABREAST OF DEVELOPMENTS
BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE, AIR FORCE, AND F-X2 PROGRAM
OFFICIALS. POST'S INSIGHTS INTO THE RECENT BRAZILIAN-FRENCH
DEFENSE AGREEMENT AND ITS IMPACT ON THE COMPETITION,
PARTICULARLY THE ROLE AND INTERACTION OF FRANCE'S DASSAULT
AEROSPACE COMPANY WITH BRAZILIAN OFFICIALS AND BUSINESSES,
WERE ALSO ARE EXTREMELY USEFUL.


2. (S/NF) WASHINGTON ANALYSTS APPRECIATE POST'S REPORTING
THAT HAS IDENTIFIED CHANGES WITHIN THE COMPETITION AND
DEFENSE MINISTRY OFFICIALS' POLICIES REGARDING TECHNOLOGY
SHARING AGREEMENTS, THE IMPACT OF BRAZIL'S ECONOMIC DOWNTURN
ON THE F-X2 PROGRAM, ATTITUDES OF FAB OFFICIALS TOWARDS THE
PRICE AND AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL THREE CONTENDING
AIRCRAFT, AND THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE US FIGHTER AND ITS
MAIN COMPETITOR, THE DASSAULT RAFALE. MANY THANKS AGAIN FOR
AN OUTSTANDING JOB OF TRACKING AN OFTEN COMPLEX COMPETITION
AND BRAZILIAN DEFENSE ISSUES. KIND REGARDS FROM WASHINGTON.
CLINTON