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Argentina seeks to join Brazil in building supersonic fighter jets

Xinhua, July 6, 2016 Adjust font size:

Argentina is looking to join Brazil in manufacturing supersonic fighter jets, the Ministry of Defense said Tuesday.

"Minister of Defense Julio Martinez met with his counterpart from Brazil, Raul Jungmann, with whom he analyzed the possibility of the two countries cooperating in the production of supersonic jets, which would be manufactured by Brazilian firm Embraer," the ministry said in a press release.

Martinez on Monday wrapped up a brief trip to Brazil, where he expressed his country's interest in taking part in the production of Gripen NG supersonic jets built with Swedish technology, Argentine daily La Nacion reported.

"We want to be part of the contract that Embraer signed with the Swedish Saab, and we could do it via the Argentina Aircraft Factory (FAdeA)," Martinez told the daily.

According to the ministry, Martinez said the two countries could jointly manufacture the jets, with parts made by the FAdeA, as they do in making KC-390 aircraft.

Martinez expressed his "special interest in participating in that project," saying that "together with authorities from Argentina's Air Force, we assessed the possibility of incorporating the aircrafts" into the national fleet, which lacks supersonic jets, the ministry said.

Martinez also said his goal was to "deepen work in the aeronautics industry."

Jungmann said "Argentina is one of Brazil's leading political and economic partners," and it was important to strengthen strategic ties, the press release added. Endit