Thursday, June 28, 2012

Brazil and Italy Strengthen Cooperation in Defense and Highlight Priority Programs

The defence ministers of Brazil, Celso Amorim, and Italy, Giampaolo Di Paola, Jun. 26 reiterated their desire to strengthen cooperation in their defense relations, and promote the exchange of experiences between their Armed Forces.
 
The Italian minister was received with military honors at the entrance of the Ministry of Defence (MD). Soon after, in a meeting, Celso Amorim said the partnership between Brazil and Italy is already old and needs to continue. He outlined to the Italians ongoing joint projects and emphasized sectors that can create potential bilateral partnerships.
 
Amorim said that within the Plan of Organization and Equipment of Defense (PAED), one of the priority projects for the Navy's PROSUPER program to acquire modern surface combatants. This initiative provides for the acquisition of new surface ships and covers eleven ships (five frigates, five escorts and a super support ship).
 
Italy is interested in developing vessels for Brazil. In this sense, the Italian Defence Minister said that his country's intention is not to buy or sell ships, but to work together on their development. On this subject, the Brazilian minister said it was important to have this transfer of technology to increase national capabilities.
 
One of the subjects of the meeting was a historic partnership between the two countries in the AMX light fighter program, which started in 1980. A highly successful initiative, the AMX was essential for Embraer to acquire the required skills for the production of civil and military aircraft. It was stressed that we must continue Italo-Brazilian cooperation for logistics related to this program.
 
The Brazilian AMXs are going through a modernization process. This week, on Tuesday (19), the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) conducted the first flight of a modernized AMX at Embraer's factory in Gaviao Peixoto, in São Paulo.
 
At the meeting, ministers were accompanied by their high command officers. On the Brazilian side was attended by the commanders of the Navy, admiral of the fleet Julio Soares de Moura Neto, the Army, Army Major General Enzo Martins Peri, and Air Force, Lieutenant-Brigadier-the-air Aprígio Eduardo de Moura Azevedo ( interim), besides the Chief of Joint Staff of Armed Forces (EMCFA), Army Major General Jose Carlos De Nardi.

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