French President Emmanuel Macron, praising the relaunch of the partnership with Brazil, hoped on Wednesday that the Brazilians would finally one day buy Rafale fighter jets from France. On the agenda for new relationships: respectful development of the Amazon, new submarines, and why not Rafales for Brasilia.
French President Emmanuel Macron, praising the relaunch of the partnership with Brazil, hoped on Wednesday that the Brazilians would finally one day buy Rafale fighter jets from France. The head of state began a three-day visit to Brazil on Tuesday aimed at “opening a new page” between the two countries after the “difficult” years under far-right President Jair Bolsonaro (2019-2022), said he said to the French community in Sao Paulo.
“I believe that nothing is ever lost”
This visit will make it possible to develop cross-border cooperation with French Guiana in the fight against illegal gold mining and for the economic development of the Amazon while respecting its biodiversity, he explained. The two countries will also cooperate on a “new submarine program”, notably nuclear-powered, they are also working together on the construction of helicopters, he declined.
“And who knows how to relaunch the discussion on the Rafale because I consider that nothing is ever lost,” launched the Head of State. France has long hoped to sell Rafales to Brazil before finally finding its first export customers in Egypt, Qatar and India. The Rafale is a so-called multirole combat aircraft, capable of carrying out air defense, reconnaissance or bombing missions.