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Venezuelan dictator Huge Chavez remains the gift that keeps on giving, as Brazil's President Lula authorizes Brazilian Air Force Commander Juniti Saito to restart the F-X fighter program in January 2008. "F-X2" aims to acquire 36 next generation fighters for the Brazilian Air Force, which is currently depending on Super Tucano/ALX surveillance and light attack turboprops, AMX subsonic light fighters, modernized F-5BRs whose design dates back to the 1960s era, and a squadron of 12 Mirage 2000s built in the early 1980s. A previous 2001 F-X competition was put on hold in 2003, and then canceled in February 2004 due to budget difficulties and political issues.
Amazing what adding just one wacko to the mix will do. Could the words "Brazilian fighter" begin evoking images unrelated to the Gracies? A proposed 50% boost to Brazil's defense budget could be on its way to accomplishing that, and more. While the Navy and Army are also in line for funds to replace broken-down equipment, the fighters will be a critical centerpiece of the Força Aérea Brasileira's efforts, with a $2.2 billion budget behind them. The aircraft under consideration are mostly the same set of 4+ generation fighters that were considered last time - but the competition may have become more important to at least one of the competitors.
Defense Industry Daily looks at the background, and the new round of F-X2 competitors from France, Russia, Sweden, and Europe's EADS....