DefenseNews: Brazil to double air fleet as part of $10.6 billion investment

SAO PAULO — Brazil plans to invest 52.8 billion reals (U.S. $10.6 billion) for research, development and equipment acquisition efforts for its military, including nearly doubling the size of its Gripen fighter fleet and financing projects by local aircraft manufacturer Embraer for aerial refueling planes, the government announced earlier this month. The measure, revealed Aug. 11, is part of the government’s Growth Acceleration Program, or PAC, established by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. PAC guided programs during his first two terms in…