Brazil urgently needs to modernize its fighter fleet. So far, the US aircraft were considered as the supplier of choice, but the deal has been stalled: the government in Brasília is upset about the US secret NSA spying programs.

The Ausspähaktionen of U.S. intelligence come the aircraft manufacturer Boeing may be costly. From anger about the behavior of the secret NSA Brazilian government to reconsider the purchase of U.S. fighter aircraft worth four billion dollars.

The country plans to modernize its fleet with 36 new fighter jets. As the clear favorite to date machinery of the F/A-18 “Super Hornet” of the U.S. aircraft company Boeing apply – also because the United States had previously bought Brazilian Embraer aircraft for use in Afghanistan.

As a competitor to Boeing, the French “Rafale” jet manufacturer Dassault Aviation and the Swedish “Gripen”, the Saab builds apply. Faced with dwindling defense budgets in NATO countries Brazil is the international arms companies as an important growth market.

“We can not now speak of the aircraft”

US Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Brazil on Tuesday and wanted to promote the U.S. jets during his visit actually. However, the government in Brasilia rejects calls over the arms deal. “We can not talk about airplanes now. One can such a contract is not awarded to a country that you do not trust,” said a senior Brazilian officials.

US officials have expressed concern about the reluctance of the Brazilians. The government of President Dilma Rousseff should make their decision solely on basis of technical criteria. “We are confident that we have the best product,” said an official.

The decision on which aircraft manufacturer finally awarded the contract, is expected at the earliest in the coming year – even if Brazil’s army is pressing for speedy delivery. The French “Mirage” aircraft that are currently parked among other things to protect the capital, must remain at the bottom end of the year for reasons of age may have.

The newspaper “O Globo” had published documents of the former intelligence employee Edward Snowden in July. This will become apparent far-reaching Ausspähaktionen of US intelligence on the Internet in Brazil and other Latin American countries.

The revelations had caused great indignation in Brasília for. The government was very concerned about the U.S. spy programs and called on the UN to intervene. In October Rousseff wants to speak at a state visit to Washington with President Barack Obama about the NSA scandal.

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