Included in the offer is a batch of three or four photo-survey variants of the Aviocar which will replace the photographic reconnaissance dedicated IA-50s based at General Urquiza Air Base, near the City of Parana.

The FAA plans to establish Grupo Aereo 2 within II Brigada Aerea (BA) at Parana as the major Aviocar unit, whilst single examples will be assigned to each major combat unit for transport tasks.

Accordingly, 111, IV, 1/, VI and VII Air Brigades will receive Aviocars, while the remainder will be concentrated in Grupo Aereo 2 at Parana.

Venezuela Signs for AMX-T

The Venezuelan air Force finally signed contract to purchase the Italian-Brazilian AMX T. Venezuela signed the revised contract on December 18 2002 after 3 years of negotiations with Embraer.

The original program was valued in US$150 million, for eight aircraft scheduled for delivery in the last quarter of 2001.

According to Embraer, the new AMX-T is a fully computerized aircraft, incorporating the latest technological innovations to meet the needs of advanced and leading fighter training for military pilots, while retaining the operational capabilities of the original single-seat AMX.

THE VENEZUELAN National Guard was expected to accept 4 single piston-engined Enstrom F280FX light training helicopters in January 2003, following a delivery ceremony on December 6 last year on Margarita Island.

Lockheed AT 33 Shooting Star (FAB 623) of the Bolivian Air Force seen departing the Kelowna Fliqhtcraft facility at Kelowna, British Columbia in June 2002 on a post-rebuild flight test.

This AT model is the Canadian Silver Star version designated CT-133.

This T-bird is one of the last four AT-33s to be rebuilt by Kelowna out of a total batch of 18 initially contracted for an avionics and glass cockpit upgrade in August 1997.

The Colombian Air Force acquire a Basier BT67 Turbo Dakota (FAC 1670).

The Aircraft has recently been equipped with an infrared tracker turret under the nose, adding a useful surveillance capability to this ageless transport.

The Argentinean Air force is converting a batch of FMA IA-63 Pampa trainers into the AT-63 (Attack Trainer) light attack version. There are two prototypes, EX-02 and EX03, in the first airframes to undergo conversion to the new configuration at the LMAASA Cordoba facility.

Components for the first new production AT-63 (E-816) are also now in production. The original agreement for 12 new AT-63s and the conversion of another 12 IA-63 under a US$230 million contract, is currently being renegotiated.

The upgrade to the AT-63 standard involves cockpit redesign, which will Include a large CRT (cathode ray tube) display, HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick) controls and a wide-angle HUD (Head Up Display), plus a new digital avionics package developed by Elbit, which offers improved weapons delivery capabilities supported by an integrated navigation and attack system.

The engine of the AT-63 will be the TFE-731-2C, developing a thrust of 3,500lb (1,590kg) at sea level.

The Colombian Air Force recently modified its Cessna 560 in Kansas in early December 2002. The Aircraft is carrying a nose radar AN/APG-66 similar to early model F16's and a Texas WF-360 Infra-red Tracking System.

The combined system is similar to ISR systems used by the Coast Guard in the HU-25C Guardian Interceptor for drug enforcement role.

The Mexican Navy recently purchased six MD-900 Explorer helicopters armed with fixed forward GAU-19 electric machine-guns and HYDRA-70 rockets. The Naval Aviation will eventually operate 10 armed Explorers from its frigates.

A sizable market exists in Latin America for light, armed patrol helicopters to operate from small ships tasked with anti-smuggling operations.

Sukhoi is ready to address spare parts and aircraft support issues with firm contracts, extending as far as parts manufacture in Chile and Brazil and even license production or joint ventures.

Exploratory talks have been held with both countries.

Russian firms seek more regional sales for its Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopters. Rosvoorouzhenie's share in the Latin American defense market does not exceed US$100 Million a year, but the company believe this will grow as they offer the latest technology available with the newest night vision devices developed in Russia.

The Brazilian Air force presents a $5 billion FX-BR requirement for 72 to 149 new combat aircraft.

Both the Dassault Mirage 2000-5 and Rafale are contenders.

Discussions are underway to expand the operation capabilities of the Brazilian Army's 36 - strong fleet of Eurocopter Panther helicopters.

Bell sees market for 100 upgraded Huey II's in Peru, Colombia and Chile as it observes a growing interest in dedicated armed helicopters. Bell is actively marketing a multirole version of the Super Cobra dubbed the MH-1W (export version of Sea Cobra used for Reco Missions ) with the Armies and Air Forces of Latin America.

This aircraft would be equipped with the Flirstar Safire "FLIR" and a laser range finder that provides laser rangefinding/designating and camera capabilities

During Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, the Super Cobra Helicopters destroyed 97 tanks, 104 armored personnel carriers and vehicles, 16 bunkers and 2 A/A artillery sites without the loss of any aircraft, and now they're back in operation "Iraqi Freedom" with is "Hellfire" support.

Whatever your customer's mission: air superiority, fighter escort, close air support, 24 hour precision strike, etc., Latin American pilots, acquisition departments and Air Force Generals are in a constant need for aircraft information.

Despite general austerity measures in the region, the Latin American Air Forces are on the move for new and better equipment.

Whatever the requirements are, be it maritime and border surveillance, electronic intelligence, training, all weather attack, etc. the South American Air Forces are shopping today more than ever in its own style in order to fulfill highly needed operational requirements.

Replacement of all the existing fleets will be mandatory within the next 5 years.

Determining Air Force customer's needs, means uncovering the factors that are important to them in their purchasing decisions. Not only from a purely financial point of view, but also as pilots and soldiers, designing down to earth strategies to keep your company continually up-to-date on your customers ever evolving purchasing criteria.

Much of what the Latin American Air Forces want is obvious: professional assistance, quality and technical support, courteous ervice, reasonable prices and payment terms.

But there are subtleties in defining customer needs and wants.

How can a company ensure that it keeps track of the ever-evolving Air Force requirements, and the shifts in customer expectations on an ongoing basis?

And yes, we are talking day-to-day reports.

How can a company develop products and services that not only satisfy customers, but also delight them ?

The answer: with the power of Business Intelligence Information (BII)

At CHILE COMPANY we provide you every Monday with an updated Weekly Status Report (WSR) through a state of the art electronic confidential summary containing superior accurate Business Intelligence Information regarding contract awards, program upgrades, funding allocation and every piece of information related to the Latin American Armed Forces weapon acquisition process that your company needs to know...today, not tomorrow.

Simply put, in your business, time is money and loss of time is a waste of money. Especially when you or your representatives don't know exactly what your customer is doing on a daily basis.

Leading companies are primed to make the right strategic decisions at the right time, simply because they are armed with the appropriate knowledge.

Monitoring a specific Air Force external and internal environment is the process of gathering, evaluating and putting to use Business Intelligence Information. Information regarding your company's outside arenas such as customer relationships, competitors, government regulations and local representative performance.

Proper monitoring identifies key risk factors, emerging trends, news and opportunities that are essential to good decision-making.

So the question is: Are your local representatives promptly providing you with this timely information?

At CHILE COMPANY customer feedback, immediate data dissemination and complete customer satisfaction are the very essence of our business philosophy.

That's the kind of ideas that take flight.

Real Time Information that works for you.

CHILE COMPANY, the only 24 hours Business Intelligence Information service in the world.