Summary and Key Points: The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) operates a diverse fleet of combat aircraft, including AMXs, Northrop F-5s, Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucanos, and Saab Gripen E jets.

-The FAB is currently in negotiations to purchase two dozen F-16 Fighting Falcons from the U.S. Air Force, aiming to finalize the deal by the end of 2024.

-This move comes as Brazil seeks cost-effective alternatives to a second order of Swedish-made JAS 39 Gripens due to budget constraints.

-The F-16 acquisition follows Brazil's recent retirement of its Mirage 2000 fighters and aligns with the U.S. strategy to steer regional partners toward Western-made aircraft.

Brazil Negotiates F-16 Fighter Deal Amid Budget Constraints

The Brazilian Air Force flies a diverse mix of combat aircraft. Its fleet includes 42 AMXs, 40 Northrop F-5s, 30 Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucanos (designated A-29), and six Saab Gripen E jets, according to Flight Global.

That force might soon grow to include two dozen F-16 Fighting Falcons, which Brazil's military might purchase from the U.S. Air Force.

Janes reported this month that the Brazilian Air Force, or FAB, is now in the early stages of negotiations but wants to close any deal as soon as possible – likely before the end of 2024.

The FAB ordered three dozen Swedish-made JAS 39 Gripens in a 2014 deal worth $5.4 billion –  delivery is expected by 2027. Those fighters will equip the 1º Grupo de Defesa Aérea, replacing aging aircraft such as the unit’s F-5 Tiger IIs. As part of the deal, 15 of the 36 Gripens will undergo final assembly at Embraer's facility in São José dos Campos, São Paulo.

The FAB had considered a second order of the same size to allow it to retire its AMX fighters, which were co-developed by Italy and Brazil in the early 1980s, and produced from 1986 until 1999. The Italian Air Force retired the last of the strike fighters earlier this year, and the FAB was expected to also retire its fleet.

Brazil recently retired its fleet of 12 French-made Mirage 2000 fighters.

Initially, it seemed that Brazil was going to move forward with a second order of thirty-six JAS 39 Gripens, but due to lack of funding, Brasília has been exploring more cost-effective options. The Brazilians affirm this is about budget considerations, not the capabilities of the aircraft. Saab seems unable to reach an agreement amenable to the FAB, which is now seeking alternatives.

Those other options reportedly include previously flown F-16s from the U.S. Air Force.

Brazil would not be the only South American nation to adopt second-hand Fighting Falcons. Washington previously approved the sale of two dozen Danish F-16s to Argentina in a deal valued at about $340 million. 

Brazil previously sought to acquire a batch of F-16s in the early 2000s but was unable to close the deal.

The United States is likely to approve the transfer of F-16s to Brazil. Washington has steered its regional partners toward Western-made aircraft since Beijing started to shop around its JF-17 fighter.

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu 

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].

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