(NSI News Source Info) SÃO JOSÉ DOS CAMPOS, Brazil - April 16, 2009: Embraer signed a contract, today, to modernize 12 Brazilian Navy jets – nine AF-1s (single-seat) and three AF-1As (two-seat). 
Embraer will modernize the Brazilian Navy’s squadron of 12 A-4 Skyhawk light attack aircraft, which are the main component of its naval aviation force.
The ceremony took place during the seventh edition of the Latin America Aero and Defence (LAAD) trade fair, which is being held at Riocentro, April 14-17, in the city of Rio de Janeiro, and was attended by the Minister of Defense, Nelson Jobim, the Head of the Brazilian Navy, Admiral Júlio Soares de Moura Neto, the Aeronautics Commander, General Juniti Saito, and Embraer President & CEO Frederico Fleury Curado.
This is the first large-scale program between the company and the Navy, and its sole objective is to technologically upgrade the 12 aircraft. “Embraer is honored by the confidence of the Brazilian Navy, and receives it as a new distinguished defense customer among over 20 armed forces which currently operate its aircraft around the world.” said Frederico Fleury Curado, Embraer President & CEO.
“By choosing Embraer, the Navy is making an important contribution to consolidating the technological and industrial capacity of Brazil for modernizing military aircraft.” The 12 airplanes that will be modernized are known, worldwide, as the A-4 Skyhawk.
This upgrading will fully restore the operating capacity of the Navy’s 1st Intercept and Attack Plane Squadron, for their joint mission with the naval and navy air force groups in the Nation’s defense.
The program includes restoring the aircraft and their current systems, as well as implementing new avionics, radar, power production, and autonomous oxygen generating systems. This contract demonstrates Embraer’s commitment to offer its customers modern products, with advanced technology and quality services.
The Company has recently worked on upgrading the Brazilian Air Force’s F-5 and A-1 (AMX) fighter jets. With this program, Embraer, in conjunction with the Brazilian Navy and Air Force, as well as the Ministry of Defense, fulfills its role in assuring gains in technological capability and in generating highly qualified jobs in Brazil.
Embraer is the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial jets up to 120 seats, and one of Brazil’s leading exporters. Embraer’s headquarters are located in São José dos Campos, São Paulo, and it has offices, industrial operations and customer service facilities in Brazil, the United States, France, Portugal, China and Singapore.
Founded in 1969, the Company designs, develops, manufactures and sells aircraft for the Commercial Aviation, Executive Aviation, and Defense and Government segments. The Company also provides after sales support and services to customers worldwide. On March 31, 2009, Embraer had a workforce of 17,375 employees – not counting the employees of its subsidiaries OGMA and HEAI – and its firm order backlog totaled US$ 19.7 billion.
