Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 4040 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
QA
YM YI YE

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 04BRASILIA592, BRAZIL'S F-X PROGRAM: NO MATTER WHO WINS TENDER, MOD SUPPORTS EMBRAER

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #04BRASILIA592.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
04BRASILIA592 2004-03-12 15:03 2011-01-21 00:12 CONFIDENTIAL Embassy Brasilia
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRASILIA 000592 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/12/2013 
TAGS: MARR MCAP BEXP BR POL MIL
SUBJECT: BRAZIL'S F-X PROGRAM: NO MATTER WHO WINS TENDER, MOD SUPPORTS EMBRAER 

Classified By: PolCouns Dennis Hearne, reasons 1.5 (a) & (d) 

-------------------------------- Embraer, a Winner No Matter What -------------------------------- 

1. (SBU) Although no announcement has been made on the selection of the Brazilian Air Force's (FAB) next high performance jet fighter, the F-X, the GOB could be setting the stage for a decision on the purchase of the 12 aircraft. In the F-X competition, Embraer is currently partnered with Dassault in offering the Mirage 2000-5. According to an "O Globo" press report, Minister of Defense Jose Viegas told a business audience that, regardless of the outcome of the competition, and even if it loses in its joint bid with Dassault, Brazil's aviation giant Embraer "ought to be contracted to provide specific services" to the winning consortium. 

2. (SBU) The F-X selection will be made by the National Defense Council in the presidency which has already received technical input from the MOD. The GOB has missed a number of self-imposed deadlines for a decision on the F-X, and the wait could be extended further. In discussing MOD procurement priorities, Minister Viegas said in the March 8 Sao Paulo Gazeta Mercantil that the F-X decision "will be made this year" -- a statement that hints an announcement may not be forthcoming soon. 

-------------- The U.S. Offer -------------- 

3. (SBU) Lockheed Martin has given up its attempt to partner with Varig Engineering and Maintenance (VEM). A subsidiary of Varig, VEM was unresponsive to Lockheed Martin's proposed program to offer refurbished F-16s. Observers agree that Varig's current financial woes, and its epileptic merger effort with rival TAM, may have forced VEM to remain on the sidelines. While Lockheed Martin's F-16 offer remains in the F-X competition, the company lacks a strong Brazilian mate in its tender and this likely limits Lockheed's prospects. 

4. (C) In a conversation March 10 with visiting CJCS General Myers, Minister Viegas commented that Lockheed-Martin's best and final offer (BAFO) for new F-16s left him with the impression the company "was not serious" about winning the competition. The Minister also expressed concern about restrictions imposed by USG in case Brazil was to buy US weapon systems, in particular the AAMRAM missile, and appeared surprised when told the GOB had been provided written assurance from the USG that the AAMRAM is available without strings attached. The Minister also appeared unaware that the Netherlands had made available recently, for just $8 million each, refurbished used F-16s that are comparable in performance to new aircraft. 

5. (C) Comment: While the USD 700 million F-X program price tag still causes sticker shock, there is no indication at this time the Ministry of Defense will lower its aspirations for new rather than used aircraft. But two trends appear evident: the GOB may be delaying a decision for budgetary or other reasons, and the eventual tender winner will have to give Embraer a piece of the action. 

Virden