Gripen Heads to Brazil - Who's Next?

Brazil's sudden decision a month ago to pick the Saab Gripen ahead of American and French contenders is the first arrangement of its size that has been carried out without accounting superpowers or United Nations Security Council. 

The arrangement has expanded the much awaited access for South African defence and other defence industry players, especially among BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa). 

With the Gripen in Brazil, the entire BRICS pact has become additionally exciting.

A US defence investigator says, despite the fact that the NSA outrage — the US' eavesdropping on Brazil's president Dilma Rousseff — proved to be useful as a "method of reasoning for criticising the US" and encouraged the selection of the Gripen rather than the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, it was not the primary driver. 

It is said that the behavioural change was that Brazil settled on a sensible decision and at last ran with what the Brazilian armed forces had said for a considerable length of time it needed and required: the Gripen, the cheapest option.

The latest addition into Gripen’s potential buyer is Indonesia and there is even talk that India is eyeing onto the Gripen, due to negotiation halt on the purchase of Dassault Rafale.

French based Dassault was said as not wanting to bear any responsibility for locally assembled Rafale, amounting to 108 out of the total possible orders, 126. The situation has given some space for BRICS to play its role in placing Saab’s Sea Gripen as a stronger contender for both Brazil and India, according to a source.

Analysts are optimistic that the Brazil-Gripen purchase will be Sweden’s largest export contract so far. Therefore, observing the situation in a larger picture, it can be said that superpowers are no longer able to influence international arms deal and BRICS, despite news on its downfall, is gaining powers and influence, possibly affecting global defence course in the next years to come.