Brazil to make 20 aircraft for Afghan air force

WASHINGTON (PAN): The United States on Wednesday announced a Brazilian
firm would supply 20 aircraft to the fledging Afghan air force months
before the scheduled 2014 completion of security transition.
The US Air Force has decided to award Sierra Nevada/Embraer a $427
million contract to provide light air support aircraft and associated
maintenance and training for the Afghan Air Force, a Pentagon official
said.
Press Secretary George Little told journalists Deputy US Defense
Secretary Ash Carter called Brazilian Minister of Defence Celso Amorim
to inform him about the decision.
“Under this contract, 20 aircraft are scheduled to be delivered to
operational air bases in Afghanistan beginning in the summer of 2014
to conduct advanced flight training, surveillance, close air support
and air interdiction missions,” Little said.
The platform was critical to providing enabling support to the Afghan
National Security Forces as part of America’s enduring support to the
country following the completion of the ISAF mission at the end of
2014, Little said.

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