Brasilia, Sao Paulo: Boeing, a heavyweight in the field of aircraft failed to win a contract worth at least $4.5 billion from Brazil as Brazil awarded a $4.5 billion contract to Saab AB on Wednesday to replace its ageing fleet of fighter jets.
According to reports as Brazil needs to replace its fighter jet fleet and has been negotiating a contract to do so for over a decade. Boeing was the company expected to win the contract, but apparently that all changed with the NSA revelations. After that, and according to a Brazilian government source, Boeing didn't have a chance because the trust had gone as they were an American company.
Finally the contract was instead awarded to Swedish company Saab who will supply 36 Gripen NG fighter jets to Brazil, which are set to be delivered by 2020.
The announcement for the purchase of fighters was made Wednesday by Brazilian Defense Minister Celso Amorim and Air Force Commander Junti Saito.
According to reports recent revelations that the National Security Agency has been spying on the Brazilian government, including the personal communications of President Dilma Rousseff, reportedly led officials to believe they couldn't trust the American aviation company.
