Nikolas Gvosdev flags Russia’s efforts at making inroads into the South American energy infrastructure market. I’m as struck by France’s inroads into the Brazilian weapons procurement market (via Jean-Dominique Merchet at Secret Défense):
The agreement would include the transfer of technology that would allow Brazil to assemble 50 EC-725 Cougar helicopters, four conventional submarines and one submarine with nuclear capability as part of Brazil’s military modernization process, officials told Agencia Brasil.
According to Merchet, Brazil is also considering a purchase of French Rafale fighter jets, which has made the final cut — along with the F-18 and the Swedish Gripen — in the latest contract tender.
Interesting to note that, like India and China, Brazil now pulls technology transfer deals with domestic fabrication.