Brazil’s defence ministry is re-examining a decision to scrap the air force’s F-X BR fighter procurement almost a year ago amid political wrangling and funding difficulties, and is now attempting to organise a new procurement budgeted at $2.2 billion.

However, unlike the previous programme, the defence ministry does not intend to open a bidding process for the new requirement, but will simply select a fighter and negotiate a contract understood to be for between 36 and 42 aircraft. Although a programme go-ahead is not expected before year-end, local sources indicate that Dassault’s Rafale is considered to be a prime contender.

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