LAAD 2011: Brazilian Air Force agrees to buy surveillance radar
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) has agreed to purchase four Saber M60 surveillance radar systems from Orbisat, in what marks a significant deal for the Brazilian company.
FAB commander, Lieutenant Brigadier-General Juniti de Saito, signed a letter of intent to purchase the four systems during a meeting at the LAAD exhibition in Rio de Janeiro on 13 April.
Orbisat CEO Mauricio Rodrigues Aveiro told Shephard that the contract, which is expected to be finalised by the end of the year, would be worth in the region of $12 million.
The FAB will use the M60 at air bases in Canoas and Manaus and Aveiro said it was hoped that should the equipment perform well, the government would look to purchase additional systems.
Brazil’s Department of Airspace Control has been evaluating the surveillance radars since 2010 and earlier this year determined the M60 met the FAB’s operational requirements. The M60 was also recently certified by the Brazilian Army.
The system, which has a range of 60km and can simultaneously track 40 targets, can be integrated with other surveillance and air defence systems.
Orbisat will now work with the FAB on the technical details of the deal in advance of a contract signing later in 2011.