Atal, Advani may soon fly in 'Legacy'

NEW DELHI: India is likely to discuss the purchase of about six Legacy executive transport jets, believed to be valued at about $130 million, during the visit of Defence Minister George Fernandes to Brazil beginning on Saturday.
The six-day visit by Fernandes, which is expected to give a boost to defence cooperation between the two countries, is the first by an Indian defence minister to Rio de Janeiro encompassing security and economic relations.
According to official sources, the Indian Air Force has selected Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer for the sale of a VVIP plane and five executive 18-seater jets for the VIP communications squadron of the Air Force.
The new planes, which India proposes to buy, are expected to be used by VVIPs including Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his Deputy L K Advani. However, the actual contracts will be signed later, after due diligence, sources said.
Legacy, the first Brazilian-made executive jet aircraft, is based on the platform of Embraer''s 130, 135 and 140 regional jets and is sold in executive and corporate shuttle versions.
With personalized options available for the configuration of the interior, the aircraft offers comfort, high performance and large cabin volume, with low purchase and maintenance costs.
The 1,410 cubic feet of the Legacy''s interior represents a volume that is on average 60-per cent higher than that of other super midsize jets.
A ministry spokesman said on Thursday that Fernandes, who will be leaving for Rio De Janeiro and Sao Paulo in the early hours of Friday, will be accompanied by a team of top Army, Air Force and defence officials.
Officials said that the visit will discuss defence cooperation, military to military exercises and also terrorism.
The Indian side will also explore the possibility of establishing joint ventures in the field of defence including joint manufacture of aircraft and co-production of India''s Light Combat Aircraft and Advanced Light Helicopter.
India-Brazil cooperation in civil and defence aircraft manufacture held good promise as Brazil has a strong aircraft industry, they said.
Romualdo Monteiro de Barros, executive vice-president of Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica (Embraer) had earlier this year said that the company planned to sign a deal with the Indian government to supply six 18-seater Legacy transport jets.
He said the company had been selected by the Indian Air Force to supply the aircraft through a tender process.
Embraer recently inked an agreement with Indian private domestic carrier Jet Airways for 10 corporate jets worth a total of $260 million, to be delivered in mid-2004.
The company also hopes to sell India surveillance systems like its airborne early warning and control aircraft and remote sensing air-to-ground surveillance planes.
Embraer, which clocked revenues to $3.2 billion for the calendar year 2002, had earlier proposed to the Indian government the company''s readiness to integrate Indian sensors and electronic warfare systems in its platforms and make them available jointly in the global market.