Based in London, Tony covers European defense programs. Prior to joining Aviation Week in November 2012, Tony was at Shephard Media Group where he was deputy editor for Rotorhub and Defence Helicopter magazines. Tony has covered avionics, unmanned vehicles, the supply chain and cyberwarfare.
LONDON—The Brazilian defense ministry has formally signed the $5.4 billion deal to purchase the Saab Gripen fighter, which it selected in its F-X2 competition. The contract, signed between Saab and the Brazilian air force’s Aeronautics Command (Comaer) on Oct. 24, is for 36 new-generation Gripens, comprising 28 single-seat and eight twin-seat aircraft. Contract signature came just two days before Brazil’s Oct. 26 presidential election, which saw incumbent president Dilma Rousseff returned to power after a narrow win in the polls.
