Brazil eyes to purchase F-16s over doubling its Gripen E/F fleet

Following Argentina’s latest deal to purchase used F-16 fighters, Brazil can also be speaking to the U.S. about getting some Preventing Falcons. In June, a prime Brazilian official advised Janes that the Brazilian Air Pressure [FAB] is in talks with the U.S. to purchase presumably 24 Lockheed Martin F-16 Preventing Falcons. 

Photograph by Ronnie Macdonald

These discussions are nonetheless early, however the official stated the FAB hopes to resolve quickly, possibly by the tip of 2024. Whereas BulgarianMilitary.com hasn’t confirmed this, it suits with the Brazilian Air Pressure’s plan to switch its previous fighter jets. 

That is shocking information since Brazil’s 2014 cope with Swedish firm Saab for 36 Gripen E/F fighters, value $5.04 billion, expects supply by 2027. That contract was expanded in 2022 so as to add 4 extra jets, making it a complete of 40.

Brazil's JAS 39 Gripen receives multi-domain MANET datalinks
Photograph credit score: SAAB

In 2014, Saab received a giant contract to provide 36 Gripen E/F plane. They beat powerful competitors from Dassault Rafale, Boeing’s F/A-18 Tremendous Hornet, and the Eurofighter Hurricane. Curiously, the F-16 was not thought-about. Not too long ago, the nation hinted at increasing its Gripen fleet. 

Protection Minister José Múcio spoke on the LAAD Protection and Safety occasion in Rio de Janeiro. He stated, “The Brazilian Air Pressure stated it wants extra Gripen fighters. We’re taking a look at this and finding out it.” 

Regardless of plans to purchase extra Saab Gripen E/Fs, the Brazilian Air Pressure [FAB] is searching for cheaper methods to switch its growing old fighter jets. Initially, they needed to just about double their Gripen buy to switch the previous Mirage and AMX jets. Nevertheless, financial constraints are making them rethink. 

Revival: Poland's ambitious mid-life overhaul for 48 F-16 fighters
Photograph credit score: Reddit

With the AMX fleet set to retire by the tip of 2025 and never sufficient Gripens to fill the hole, the FAB is now taking a look at cheaper options.

Within the early 2000s, Brazil tried to purchase a batch of F-16s from the US, however the deal didn’t undergo. In 2002, the U.S. supplied to promote Brazil F-16 Preventing Falcons, together with superior air-to-air missiles. This was the primary supply of its variety to a Latin American nation. 

Brazilian officers obtained a proposal from the Protection Safety Cooperation Company. It included superior F-16s and associated weaponry, just like the AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missiles. 

JAS-39 Gripen soars in Asia taking advantage of Philippine edge
Photograph credit score: SAAB

At the moment, the Pentagon’s coverage was to forestall the introduction of superior expertise right into a area, fearing it may disrupt the navy steadiness and begin an arms race. Nevertheless, an unnamed official stated the U.S. made the supply as a result of Peru had acquired Russian AMRAAMs.

Brazil needed to replace its previous Mirage III jets and appeared into shopping for 12 to 24 new fighter planes. They thought-about a couple of choices and narrowed it down to 3: Dassault’s Rafale, Boeing’s F/A-18 Tremendous Hornet, and Saab’s Gripen NG. They determined to not go together with the F-16. 

Nevertheless, discuss shopping for second-hand F-16s has come up once more. Though these older F-16 fashions don’t have the superior options of the Gripen-E/F, the F-16 remains to be a confirmed fighter jet, recognized for its flexibility and extensive use around the globe.

Sweden improving JAS 39 Gripen C/D's capabilities with a new update
Photograph credit score: Wikipedia

The Gripen E/F incorporates superior avionics and sensor fusion expertise, which permits for superior situational consciousness and knowledge processing capabilities in comparison with older F-16 fashions. This integration allows pilots to make extra knowledgeable selections in real-time fight eventualities.

One of many standout options of the Gripen E/F is its state-of-the-art digital warfare [EW] suite. This technique gives enhanced menace detection and countermeasure capabilities, making it more proficient at evading enemy radar and missile programs than the older F-16 variants.

The Gripen E/F is provided with a complicated Lively Electronically Scanned Array [AESA] radar, which presents larger vary, higher goal monitoring, and improved resistance to jamming. This radar expertise is a big improve over the mechanically scanned radar programs discovered in lots of older F-16 fashions.

Poland has sent F-16C/Ds against a Russian 'violator' missile
Photograph by Gerard van der Schaaf / Wkimedia

One other key benefit of the Gripen E/F is its superior gas effectivity and prolonged vary. The plane is designed with a extra environment friendly engine and aerodynamics, permitting it to function longer and canopy larger distances with out the necessity for refueling, which is a notable enchancment over older F-16 designs.

The Gripen E/F includes a fashionable cockpit with a totally digital interface, offering pilots with a extra intuitive and user-friendly setting. This consists of superior touchscreen shows and a helmet-mounted show system, which improve pilot situational consciousness and cut back workload in comparison with the analog and fewer built-in programs of older F-16 fashions.

The Gripen E/F boasts an open structure design, which permits for simpler upgrades and integration of latest applied sciences. This modularity ensures that the plane might be constantly up to date with the newest developments in avionics, weapons programs, and software program, sustaining its edge over the extra inflexible and fewer adaptable older F-16 fashions.

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