He Ministry of Defence is negotiating the purchase of six fighter planes from Brazil for an approximate sum of 100 million dollars, with the aim of strengthening the control of the airspace of Uruguay and continue the fight against the drug trafficking.
The LXIV Mercosur summit held on Monday in Paraguay It was the perfect moment for the president Luis Lacalle Pouwho assumed the pro tempore presidency of the regional bloc for the next six months, will talk with his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for the completion of the purchase of six combat aircraft A-29 Super Tucano brand new for the Uruguayan Air Force (FAU).
The planes are manufactured by the Brazilian company Embraer and would cost around 100 million dollars, to be paid in a period of between 10 and 15 years; although “these are the details that are being discussed, and when this stage of negotiation is finished” there will be more information on this matter, according to the Minister of Defense. Armando Casteingdebat to Radio Monte Carlo.
The manufacturing company describes this type of aircraft as a “multi-mission”, a team with “wide operational flexibility and maneuverability.” It also highlights that it is the “only light attack aircraft designed from the outset to meet the demands of air combat and austere operations.” Among its features, Embraer highlights its “integrated system” and “exceptional speed, altitude and range.”
A comprehensive policy to strengthen the Armed Forces
“This is framed in a definition of the President of the Republic when we came to the government, in line with recovering the infrastructure and the capacity of the Armed forces”, Casteingdebat pointed out in this regard. Among the actions carried out in this line, the minister highlighted the purchase of ocean patrols of the type OPV —whose process would soon be completed— and the different tenders “aimed at having the capacity for the different peacekeeping missions and to strengthen the capacity of the Army, especially in the area of border”.
“The Air Force was the one that was most delayed, since it had not bought a fighter plane since 1981. There was a decision by the president to move forward in that direction,” added the Minister of Defense, who confirmed that Embraer personnel are in the country holding meetings with technicians from the portfolio, with the aim of preparing a draft contract For friday.
“One of the major problems we face is the permeability of our border, both air, land and sea. This is a whole in which progress is also being made in order to acquire or technologically shield spaceand here we refer, for example, to the radar network,” explained Casteingdebat on the importance of the future purchase for the fight against drug trafficking and airspace control.
“At this stage we are moving forward with the characteristics of these aircraft, there have been different offers on the table, it has been decided to move forward here and we hope to reach a successful conclusion in the next few days, because the great advantage of these aircraft is that they are already built, they would be practically ready to be built. available in the event of progress in the negotiations,” the leader concluded.
Source: Ambito
