Date Posted: 28-Apr-2006
Brazil to acquire Derby BVRAAM
# Brazil will acquire a new air-combat capability when it receives the Derby missile
# Brazil joins Chile and Venezuela in operating BVR air-to-air missiles
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) is to equip its upgraded Northrop F-5M air-defence/attack aircraft with the Rafael Armament Development Authority Derby active-radar beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM).
This is an entirely new air combat capability for the country. Jane's has learned that the first Israeli-made Derby training missiles will be delivered to Brazil by August to allow the air force to employ its new weapons for the 'CRUZEX 2006' multinational exercise.
With the arrival of the Derby, Brazil becomes only the third South American air force to field a BVRAAM capability for its air-defence aircraft and the second customer for Derby in the region.
It was previously believed that Brazil would acquire South Africa's Kentron R-Darter missile for its F-5M (F-5BR) aircraft, currently being overhauled and modernised by an industry team comprising Embraer and Elbit.
The Derby and the R-Darter share a common development root and, during the 1990s, Kentron (Denel Aerospace) and Rafael had a marketing agreement to sell the weapon in separate countries.
Under this arrangement Rafael supplied Derby missiles to Chile (arming its upgraded F-5E Tigre III aircraft), while Brazil was designated as a South African market. Kentron undertook 'form-and-fit' trials with the R-Darter on the F-5M and an order was expected for the South African firm.
However, the two missile manufacturers have had a parting of the ways and Brazilian sources told Jane's that Rafael bid against Kentron to offer a superior weapon and take the F-5M contract.
Sources close to the programme said that the Derby missile now incorporates a data link for mid-course guidance: a capability absent from the South African R-Darter.
The FAB hopes to have 12 F-5Ms operational with the lead squadron, 1º/14º GAv 'Pampa' based at Canoas, coming online by the end of 2006. Embraer plans to hand over between eight and 10 aircraft in time for August's 'CRUZEX' exercises, where deployment of the Derby has been listed as a FAB priority.
Brazil joins Chile and Venezuela as the only air forces in South America to acquire an active-radar BVRAAM. As noted above, Chile has already equipped its F-5s with the Derby, while Venezuela has the Vympel R-77 (RVV-AE) missile for its MiG MiG-29 fighter aircraft force. Brazil is now the third nation to arm upgraded F-5s with the Rafael Derby, said local sources, following Singapore and Chile.
The Embraer/Elbit F-5M programme will return 52 upgraded F-5E and F-5F aircraft to the FAB. Brazil had hoped to boost this number by acquiring an additional eight F-5E/Fs from Saudi Arabia, but this initiative has now been shelved.
As part of its pending Eurofighter Typhoon contract with BAE Systems, the Royal Saudi Air Force is trading in all its F-5 aircraft to BAE - making them currently unavailable to Brazil
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