The Brazilian president has launched a scathing attack on the United States, insisting that it makes zero sense for the Department of Justice to demand information from him about a plane his country purchased in 2014.
How is this the White House’s business?
At a glance:
- Brazilian President Lula da Silva criticizes the U.S. for requesting information on Brazil’s 2014 fighter jet deal with Saab.
- Saab won the $5.4 billion contract to supply Gripen fighter jets over U.S. and French competitors.
- Lula dismissed U.S. involvement as interference and noted Brazil’s sovereign decision in the procurement process.
- Lula also plans to buy a new presidential aircraft following technical issues with his current Airbus A319.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned the U.S. Department of Justice’s recent request for information from Saab regarding Brazil’s 2014 purchase of Gripen fighter jets. Lula, in a radio interview, said the U.S. request amounted to meddling in Brazil’s internal affairs and questioned its relevance. Saab, which had won the $5.4 billion contract to supply 36 fighter jets to Brazil, announced its intention to comply with the request but did not provide further details. This development sent Saab’s shares tumbling.
Lula expressed frustration, suggesting the U.S. was displeased with Brazil’s “sovereign” decision to choose Saab over American and French competitors. The deal was finalized under Lula’s successor, Dilma Rousseff, after Boeing and France’s Dassault lost out on the tender. Lula mentioned his initial preference for the French Rafale fighter jets but left the decision to Rousseff as his term ended.
Lula’s comments come after Saab clarified that both Brazilian and Swedish investigations into the procurement had been closed, finding no wrongdoing. Brazilian prosecutors had previously accused Lula of influencing the deal, but the Supreme Court dismissed the case in 2022.
In the same interview, Lula revealed plans to purchase a new presidential plane after a technical issue with his current 20-year-old Airbus A319 during a flight from Mexico City to Brasília. Lula explained that engine issues had caused the plane to circle the area before safely landing, and he now seeks to replace the aging aircraft along with acquiring additional planes for ministerial use.
