In 2006 the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) began the FX-2 project with the objective of upgrading its fleet of combat airplanes. This plan includes the acquisition of 36 fighters at a total cost of US$3 Billion.
Until now three companies have a chance to win the contract: the Dassault Rafale F3 (France), the Boeing F/A-18 E/F (USA) and the SAAB Gripen NG (Sweden). The big question is: "When will the Brazil announce the name of the winner ?" According to Gerard Sellier, Dassault´s Offset and Industrial Co-operation Manager, the answer will be given in 2012.
Rafale International is the only company that has accepted the Brazilian government´s requirement to manufacture the fighters in Brazilian territory and set up a factory in the country so that in the future the Rafale F3 can be exported to other South American countries.When comparing the technical aspects of each fighter, the Rafale appears superior in several categories:
1) The F3 can carry more weapons (9000 kgs), while the F18 can carry 8000 kgs and the Gripen NG carries 6300 Kgs.
2) The F3´s estimated combat range is 1850 kms, against 1231 kms of the F18 and 900 kms of the Gripen. This is very important due to Brazil´s huge territory of 8 million square kilometers.
3) The Rafale is the only fighter that can fully operate on the Sao Paulo, the Brazilian navy´s new aircraft carrier.
4) The Rafale can shoot at six targets simultaneously with its MICA missiles .
5) The F3 has been proven in real combat situations in Afghanistan and Lybia.
6) 180 RAFALE F3 are in use by the French Air Force.
