19 Nov 14. Bolivia and Ecuador may be interested in KT-1 Trainer Aircraft. Spanish news sources have reported that Bolivia and Ecuador may be interested in exploring options to buy South Korean KT-1 basic trainer aircraft that will be license produced in Peru. In early November, the Peruvian Air Force took delivery of the first two of 20 KT-1 trainer aircraft from Korea Aerospace Industries under a 2012 contract worth USD200m. The contract covers a total of 20 aircraft to be produced in Peru with the first aircraft to be rolled out in August 2015. The reports have not been officially confirmed by the two countries but there is a basic trainer requirement in both Bolivia and Ecuador. It is not clear if the aircraft may have also been offered to Paraguay, which is also understood to have a trainer requirement. South Korean officials have been reported to have personally marketed the aircraft to Ecuador during a visit to the country in May 2014. (Source: MPI – Hawk Information)
18 Nov 14. Avibras and MBDA to Develop New SAM. Avibras of Brazil and MBDA, the European missile consortium, plan to jointly develop a new surface-to-air missile (SAM) system. This system will be able to intercept airborne threats over medium ranges. This announcement comes as the Brazilian government is conducting negotiations with Russia concerning the possible purchase of Pantsir-S1 mobile SAM systems. The new AV-MMA (AVibras Medium Altitude Missile) will be based on MBDA’s CAMM (Common Anti-Air Modular Missile) technology. The partners will tailor the AV-MMA to Brazilian defense requirements. The system will use
Avibras technologies and components provided by other Brazilian defense contractors. This future system will be mounted on a mobile platform. Avibras plans to use the same platform that is currently part of the Astros 2020 multiple launch rocket system. This platform is based on the Rheinmetall RMMV vehicle. Brazil will provide some 70 percent of AV-MMA. The partners plan to provide this system all three Brazilian armed services.
MPI Comment – A contract for the SAM procurement was expected by the end of 2014 and has gathered significant interest form international suppliers. While the new joint venture between Avibras and MBDA intend to topple ongoing discussions with Russia, the Brazilian media has reported that Russian delegates were also in Brazil in November over the SAM negotiations. (Source: MPI – Hawk Information/Forecast International)
25 Nov 14. Ghana to acquire Super Tucanos, Z-9s, Mi-17s and C-295s. The Ghana Air Force will acquire Super Tucano trainer/light attack aircraft, Z-9 helicopters and additional Mi-17 helicopters and C-295 transport aircraft, according to President John Dramani Mahama. He made the announcement during the unveiling of a new hangar, equipment and vehicles at the Air Force Base in the capital Accra on 20 November. The hangar, named after late Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal John Asamoah Bruce, is equipped with a forklift, refuelling truck, fire truck and an ambulance. It was constructed through collaboration between Brazil and Ghana (Brazil is also supporting the construction of the Tamale International Airport). Mahama also unveiled two refurbished hangars at the base. During the unveiling ceremony, Mahama said the government planned to acquire additional aircraft for the Ghana Air Force for training, peace support and combat operations, namely Harbin Z-9 helicopters from China, additional Mil Mi-17 helicopters from Russia, a single C-295 transport from Airbus Defence and Space and EMB-314 Super Tucanos for training and attack from Embraer. Mahama told the Graphic that the Z-9s would be delivered in June 2015 and added that there are plans to establish a flight training school in Tamale to serve as a training base for the region. Mahama said the new hangars would cater for the additional aircraft being provided by the government and would allow for the safe storage of aircraft, increasing their life