Brazil to sell 100 state-of-the-art anti-radiation missiles to Pakistan
03 Dec 2008
Brasilia: Brazilian authorities have apparently approved the sale of 100 state-of-the-art, medium range air-to-surface anti-radiation missiles to Pakistan which can be used to attack and destroy radar installations. Brazilian defence minister Nelson Jobim has been credited with making the announcement.
Jobim called the weapons "very effective ways to monitor" areas flown by war planes, and said the deal with Pakistan, originally signed in April this year, was worth 85 million euros ($108 million).
The MAR-1 medium-range missiles made by the Brazilian firm Mectron are tactical anti-radiation weapons, which have been under development for a long time by the Brazilian authorities. These anti-radiation missiles (ARM) were originally intended to equip its Embraer A-1A (AMX) attack aircraft.
Jobim apparently dismissed suggestions that the transaction might be questioned in light of last week's Islamist extremist massacre perpetrated in Mumbai, India, which some Indian officials suspected was launched from within Pakistan.
"Brazil negotiates with Pakistan, not with Pakistani terrorists," he said.
"To cancel this deal would be to attribute terrorist activities to the Pakistani government."