Saab wins Brazil jets deal after NSA spying sours Boeing bid

Post by wil421 » Thu, Dec 19, 2013, 2:04 AM UTC

Zarathust wrote: post #22

cylinder wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

People need to realize that companies like Boeing, GE, etc. are hardly even viewed as "American" overseas. We (Americans) like to think they are, but these companies are decidedly multinational with huge operations in many, many countries that employ thousands. They also make lots, if not the majority, of their revenue in non-US markets. Their headquarters may be in the US (not always), but they could easily migrate…

This only makes them "more american". Many people feel that they are the extension of the US government abroad since they collaborate with the US so closely.

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Dec 19, 2013, 2:08 AM UTC

tedunangst wrote: post #27

rosser wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Claiming that the NSA scandal is the primary reason for the Saab win is an overly US-centric view. From TFA: "Until earlier this year, Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet had been considered the front runner... "The NSA problem ruined it for the Americans," a Brazilian government source said on condition of anonymity." Does it remain a "US-centric view" when Brazil is the party saying, "Because NSA"?

Not exactly, but consider that Brazil gains leverage simply by saying Boeing was in the running, even if they weren't. e.g., Brazil wants the NSA gone, but they don't have any means to apply the necessary pressure. Point at an already failed Boeing deal, and tada, now you have a pressure point. Or possibly Brazil had promised to go with Boeing, but recently decided Saab was a better deal. Backing out would cost them…

Post by msantos » Thu, Dec 19, 2013, 2:21 AM UTC

snogglethorpe wrote: post #72

msantos wrote: post #8

The French bid was turned down by the President herself after major set backs in the current France-Brazil partnership building a nuclear submarine for the Brazilian Navy. Not mentioned here is the fact that old conspiracy theories surrounding the explosion that destroyed the Alcantara launch pad and killed the cream of the crop of the Brazilian space program, have recently been resurrected and it's believed plausibl…

Why is France so concerned with Brazil...?

Post by brosco45 » Thu, Dec 19, 2013, 2:40 AM UTC

Post by dreamfactory » Thu, Dec 19, 2013, 2:51 AM UTC

_djo_ wrote: post #5

Claiming that the NSA scandal is the primary reason for the Saab win is an overly US-centric view. While there's evidence that Boeing's chances were hurt by the NSA revelations, it's not true that Boeing was a clear favourite. Both Saab and Dassault had presented strong bids and were considered serious contenders, particularly as both offered much higher industrial participation and technology sharing than Boeing and…