Latin America’s biggest military exhibition is all set for the Rio Centro in 2003.
Latin america (LAD 2003) will be staged from 22-25 April 2003, in Rio, at Latin America’s largest exhibition and congress centre, the Riocentro. The show is well established as the only true military and security services event in South America, and it is a major marketing tool for all international aerospace and defence companies wishing to develop new opportunities or consolidate existing business relationships in the region.
Latin America’s defence market represents growing business for aerospace manufacturers. Requirements are emerging for new or upgraded fighters, surveillance and patrol platforms, air-to-air tankers and counter-insurgency/anti-narcotics equipment. Market analyst Forecast International/ DMS projects a gradual increase in Latin American military expenditure from $28bn last year to $32.2bn by 2005.
Closer co-operation now exists between the governments and armed forces of South America, and there are strong ties with the US. Approximately 400 US special operations personnel and 700 Argentine troops recently participated in Cabanas 2001, a joint multinational peace-keeping exercise staged in Salta, Argentina. Sponsored by the US Southern Command, it was the largest joint service exercise held in the region. Troops from Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay participated with Columbia, Mexico and Venezuela acting as observers.
Brazil’s armed forces have experienced tremendous changes over the past twenty years and they are continuing to modernise their technology. The Brazilian government has approved a $3.4bn funding programme that aims to address the most urgent updating requirements of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). Contenders for the replacement of the Dassault Mirage 111 fighters include the Sukhoi Su-27, Lockheed Martin F-16C/D, Boeing F/A-18 E/F and Saab/BAE Systems JAS 39 Gripen. The latter reportedly has offered Brazil’s aircraft industry significant technological transfer including aircraft production in Brazil if the Gripen is selected. Dassault has tabled a proposal for Embraer and Enaer of Chile to co-produce the Mirage 2000-5 in an effort to forestall an anticipated Chilean air force order for Lockheed Martin F-16s. The Dassault plan envisages the co-production of at least 100 fighters, with 70 for the Brazilians and 30 for Chile’s air force.
The Dominican Republic has signed a contract for 10 Embraer Super Tucano aircraft to be used for pilot training, internal security and border patrol. Venezuela is considering the acquisition of 24 Nanchang Aircraft Manufacturing Company K-8 basic jet trainers and ground attack aircraft together with 10 Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation Y-12 twin turbo-prop short take-off and landing general-purpose transport aircraft. Local press reports say that Chile is seeking to introduce new fleets of helicopters.
Against this background, LAD 2003 will bring together customers and suppliers. The 2001 show experienced substantial growth over the previous event, the number of professional visitors rose by 60 per cent, and there were national pavilions representing over 20 nations. LAD 2003 will, once again, be fully supported by the Brazilian Defence Ministry and all three armed forces.
There are plans to utilise the Santa Cruz Air Force Base that will provide additional facilities for static aircraft displays and flight demonstrations together with the Rio de Janeiro Naval Dockyard, enabling hosted delegations to view visiting ships and those of the Brazilian Navy and the army base.
