It’s the intention of the Brazilian government to cut US$ 4.2 billion Brazilian reais (US$ 2.5 billion) from its 15.17 billion reais (US$ 9.1 billion) defense budget this year under proposed fiscal tightening, according to recent announcement by Brazil’s Defense Minister Nelson Jobim.
In a note published on the ministry website, the government confirmed that discretionary defense spending would be reduced by 26.5% of total allocated defense ministry spending.
The reduction in defense spending comes as part of the government’s plans to reduce overall spending by 50 billion reais (US$ 30 billion) this year in an effort to curb excess demand in the economy and inflation pressure.
Jobim, however, said the proposed cuts would not necessarily hinder the government’s plans to make a final decision this year on a purchase of new fighter jets for its armed forces.
The purchase of up to 36 jets, which has been on hold since 2002, is expected to cost the government up to 4 billion US dollars or more. But according to Jobim, the purchases would only have an impact on the federal budget in 2012 or 2013.
Among the finalists for the tender are Rafale fighters produced by France’s Dassault Aviation, Gripen jets manufactured by Sweden’s SAAB and F-18 Super Hornet fighters by the U.S.’s Boeing.
Brazilian government officials from the previous administration of president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had initially hinted at a preference for the Rafale jets, although the Air Force was inclined for the Boeing model. However the new administration recently indicated a willingness to further review the competing proposals.
