Dubai: The UAE and Brazil are expected to enter a defence agreement in the coming months with the UAE's possible purchase of Brazilian military aircraft, the Brazilian defence minister said on Tuesday.
"When I go back to Brazil, I will send, in 15 days, a draft agreement between our countries which will serve as an umbrella agreement on cooperation in the military field," Nelson Jobim said through an interpreter on Tuesday.
The minister spoke to journalists in a Dubai Airport meeting hall prior to his departure from the UAE. During his visit here, Jobim met General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, as well as Lieutenant General Hamad Mohammad Thani Al Rumaithi, Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces.
Jobim said the agreement was part of Brazil's push to become known internationally for its military expertise.
Joint taskforce
The agreement is expected to result in a joint being set up, and workshops being held for military representatives from both countries to discuss their areas of cooperation. Jobim said these included purchasing Brazilian military equipment, training the UAE's armed forces, appointing observers for each other's military exercises, and the possibility of the UAE's investment in the Brazilian defence industry.
Jobim said the agreement was expected to be finalised within two months before a new government took office in Brasilia in January.
The country is expected to hold elections on October 3 and polls have indicated a presidential candidate from the ruling Workers' Party may be in the lead.
Jobim said the UAE had shown interest in purchasing the KC-390 cargo aircraft and the Super Tucano counter-insurgency aircraft.
Developed by the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer, the KC-390 is designed to transport troops and cargo in regions such as Antarctica and the Amazon. It is also designed for in-flight refuelling, search and rescue, and medical evacuation, the company said. It can carry up to 21 tonnes.
Replacement
Jobim said the aircraft would be a suitable replacement for US weapons manufacturer Lockheed Martin's Hercules C130 transport aircraft. He added that the aircraft would be on the market by 2018 "which is when the C130 will end their life cycle".
"Between 2018 and 2020 we estimate that 1,500 Hercules [aircraft] will cease to be able to fly," Jobim said.
The Hercules C130-J sells for between $60 million (Dh220 million) and $70 million. Jobim did not comment on the price of the KC390 but media reports have estimated a price tag of $50 million.
