President Lula da Silva announced this week
that his government had begun negotiations for the purchase of 36 Rafale fighter
jets from France's Dassault Aviation - before the release of a technical report
from the Brazilian air force. Government officials were forced to rebuff Lula's
statement and say that the international tender for the jets remains on, not
least to appease the military. Lula's precipitate announcement could put the
recently signed military deal with France in jeopardy, after a group of
congressmen threatened to open a parliamentary enquiry to force his
administration to clarify the criteria used for the purchase of French military
equipment. End of preview - This article contains approximately 710 words.
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