The president of Copac (Combat Aircraft Program Coordinating Committee), Air Brigadier Paulo Roberto de Barros Chã, informed that the development programs for the Brazilian military transport jet KC-390, made by Embraer, and the FX-2 Gripen NG made SAAB/Embraer did not enter the current government's cost-cutting list, so the government guarantees the payment of 771 million reais for the KC390 program and about 1 billion reais for the FX-2. “The development of the KC-390 is a top priority. There will be no delays, because this compromises sales in the international market”, said the brigadier. However, he adds, not confirming the delivery date due to budget cuts, “The Budget Law provides for R$ 400 million for the production of the KC-390 this year, but we still do not have these resources confirmed”.
The contract entered into by Embraer together with the FAB in May 2014 was at a total cost of 7,2 billion reais for the acquisition of 28 aircraft of this type, the development cost is close to 5 billion reais, a value that should be paid in advance by the FAB on the date when the KC390 was under design and testing, with an estimated date up to 2017. Despite this high amount, the Brigadier adds that the FAB has settled all payments so far.
In addition to the 28 aircraft planned for the FAB, Embraer's backlog still has 32 purchase intentions, from Argentina, Portugal, Czech Republic and Colombia. Canada has recently shown interest in acquiring the KC for rescue and cargo transport missions, as it is the only jet freighter to compete.
As for the Gripen FX-2 project, the contract to acquire 36 aircraft has a cost of $5,4 billion, according to the president of Copac, Brazil is already sending engineers from the aeronautical industry to the project at the SAAB factory in Sweden, in a total of 357, of which 240 are from Embraer, Inbra with 43, AEL Sistemas with 8, Akaer 7, Atech 26, Mectron 12 and DCTA with 12 as well. The contract also provides for the manufacture of 8 aircraft in Sweden and at least 15 here in Brazil. The program will receive 1 billion reais later this year according to Copac.
