So finally the final choice to intervene

Six months after the visit of Nicolas Sarkozy in Rio de Janeiro, the Brazil is still not formalized what President Lula had suggested at the time: the victory of the Dassault Rafale on the Saab Gripen and the Boeing F18 at the end of the call for tenders for the purchase of a first batch of 36 aircraft. At their meeting, in early September, the head of the French State had yet obtained its homologous and "friend" public assertion of a preference for the French aircraft. "Taking into account the transfer of technology and guarantees offered by the French party, President Lula announced the decision of the Brazil to initiate negotiations ..." "for the acquisition of 36 Rafale", indicated the joint press release published in the wake of a night marathon. But, since then, nothing. Hoped to end of October, the outcome of races is always expected, the rumor the giving for the following month. And, with the start of the presidential campaign to the Brazil, the doubts rise on the possibility that an announcement could finally materialize this year. Then, damn Would have the visit of Nicolas Sarkozy it done "pschitt" Finally The President would have shouted victory too soon, as critics say

Probably not. Certainly, at the time where he was pronounced, the word "negotiation" has been surinterprété. Three manufacturers were about to submit their final tenders. De facto, all three would enter into negotiations, supported by their respective political guardianship. Since September, the Sweden not to is also not deprived to send members of the Government to the Brazil to plead his case. Recently, it is the Americans who flaunted their ways by sending an aircraft carrier at the foot of the sugar loaf. The Elysee has worked also, even if all of this is very discreet. Except that unlike Paris, Stockholm or Washington got a Brazilian Minister - and a fortiori of Lula - positive public sign. In the case of the Americans, Nelson Jobim, Minister of defence, has even bluntly expressed his doubts about the ability of Boeing to ensure the desired level of technology transfer.

What is expected now, is Rio committed exclusive negotiations with the winner that Brazilian President will be nominated, since, as he said it, he and he alone will be the last word. But then why long time to decide Simply because a military tender, it is long to close. Very long. And this is even more true in the case of fighter aircraft, strategic weapons by nature that binds the client country country seller for thirty to fifty years. Not the kind of decision we take lightly! In the United Arab Emirates, the negotiation for the sale of 60 Rafale lasts a year and a half already, even though it takes place by mutual agreement, no competitor in the loop, in the best possible environment therefore.

In the Brazilian case, the France ensure being the only country able to guarantee the desired transfer of technology, which seems crucial for Rio, which is its number one test. Nevertheless, it must be that the air force will have his work of technical evaluation of three devices in the running. So it is within of supporters of the Swedish aircraft. The Minister of defence must then be his own religion, before the Council of defence - the highest instance in the matter of the country - give its opinion. So finally, the final choice to intervene. Impossible for Lula to grill the steps. Whatever his decision, regardless of the arguments he put forward to justify, even will be tried in any sovereignty that the strategic imperatives of security of his country best meets his or her choice, the Brazilian President knows very well that he will be criticized.

For better be convinced of the difficulty of such a decision, just remember the hard debate which has shaken the French Navy in the 1980s for the choice of its future interceptor. At the time, the fleet air arm is known as its Crusader - purchased by de Gaulle in the United States in 1962! n ' have long to live, while looms the construction of the replacements "clem" and "Foch". Two theses compete then, sometimes violently. Hand, pilots voted for the Boeing F18, not only because the aircraft has the immense advantage to exist. Number two of the Royal mounted even to the niche, which earned him his fifth star.

Because, in the face, i.e. at the Ministry of defence, preferred the Rafale. The plane exists only in the offices, but Dassault promises to make two versions: one for the army of the air, the other for the Navy. For budget officials of the Hôtel de Brienne, choose French, is the possibility of sharing the costs of a longer series. Most importantly, the policy decision seems written in advance: the France will not take the risk of weakening its national aircraft manufacturer by bringing American shark in the port of Brest.

It is ultimately Jean-Pierre Chevenement who decide, just before the first Gulf war. Naval Aviation was imposing the Rafale. What will be her wipe of casts. But which it now complains.