thomcat escribió:
Fracasa una millonaria ‘venta estratégica’
La Fuerza Aérea Ecuatoriana (FAE) solicitó a la Embajada de Estados Unidos una cotización para una probable compra de 24 aviones F-16, de medio uso, según lo revela el cable Nº 199357, remitido el 27 de marzo del 2009 desde Quito.
El gobierno de Rafael Correa, después del bombardeo de Angostura el 1 de marzo del 2008, decidió apoyar a la FAE en la modernización de su obsoleta flota de aviones supersónicos de combate.
La Embajada informó a Washington que el entonces comandante de la FAE, Rodrigo Bohórquez, pidió la cotización mediante un memorándum oficial de noviembre del 2008.
El pedido de la FAE generó varias interrogantes dentro del cuerpo diplomático de EE.UU., que analizaba si la venta cumpliría los objetivos de la política de su gobierno, si habría el riesgo de una reacción negativa de otros países en la región o si el Gobierno ecuatoriano tendría capacidad de pago, pues el precio de las 24 aviones bordeaba los $ 800 millones. “No está claro si tendría suficientes fondos para hacer la compra de los F-16. Las prioridades del Gobierno ecuatoriano durante la recesión también trae la pregunta de si este dinero debería ser mejor gastado en otra cosa”, dice el cable.
No obstante, la Embajada también analizó esta propuesta como una oportunidad para mejorar las relaciones con los militares ecuatorianos, que para entonces ya registraban cierto distanciamiento, y evitar el acercamiento de Ecuador a otros países. “La venta de los F-16 ayudaría a mantener una relación de militares a militares entre EE.UU. y Ecuador, de más largo plazo, y evitar que Ecuador los compre a Rusia, Francia, o China”, dice el documento.
En el mismo cable diplomático, la Embajada hace referencias a la sofisticada tecnología de los F-16. Menciona bombas guiadas por GPS, municiones por láser, así como también avanzados misiles aire-aire, que los vecinos de Ecuador (Colombia y Perú) puedan ver como “un cambio en el balance de poder regional”
Sin embargo, también se consideró la ventaja que representaría para Washington el conocer el tipo de armamento de las Fuerzas Armadas.
“La venta de los F-16 también posibilitará que EE.UU. tenga bajo control la capacidad de las armas usadas en los aviones de combate de Ecuador”.
El ministro de Defensa, Javier Ponce, dijo ayer que desconoce de la cotización solicitada por la FAE a la Embajada, pero que no le sorprendía, pues el Ministerio barajó alternativas en España, Francia, Rusia, cuando decidió renovar la flota supersónica. Finalmente, esta cartera de Estado compró 12 aviones de combate Cheetah a Sudáfrica, en agosto del 2010, por $ 80 millones, y dio de baja 16 aviones Mirage obsoletos.
Ponce informó que los tres primeros aviones sudafricanos fueron embarcados con destino al país la semana pasada y que llegarían en los próximos días.
Bueno , por lo menos sabemos que los Cheetah llegan en los proximos dias , los tres primeros, por lo del nuevo caza multirol como se puede leer la lista de candidatos se acorta definitivamente en pocos modelos que sean con un solo motor , y diria que ahora en este momento nuestro primer candidato seria el gripen C/D , seguido tal vez por los mirage 2000,
saludos.
.
Este es el cable de wikileaks completo.
Saludos
Cable 199357
La Fuerza Aérea Ecuatoriana (FAE) solicitó a la Embajada de Estados Unidos una cotización para una probable compra de 24 aviones F-16, de medio uso, según lo revela este cable, remitido el 27 de marzo del 2009 desde Quito.
id:
199357
date:
3/27/2009 19:48
refid:
09QUITO216
origin:
Embassy Quito
classification:
CONFIDENTIAL
destination:
09QUITO178
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----------------- header ends ----------------
C O N F I D E N T I A L QUITO 000216
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: TWENTY YEARS
TAGS: PREL, MARR, MASS, MOPS, EC
SUBJECT: SLOW-ROLLING THE GOE REQUEST TO PURCHASE F-16S
REF: QUITO 178
Classified By: Ambassador Heather M. Hodges for Reasons 1.4 (b&d)
1. (C) Summary: The Ecuadorian Air Force (FAE) Commander
signed an official memorandum on November 25, 2008 requesting
a quote from the U.S. on the cost of purchasing 24 F-16 C/D
Block 50 Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) aircraft, with the intention
of replacing its outdated fighter fleet. Post delayed
forwarding the request due to bilateral tensions and the
expectation that the GOE would decide to direct its resources
elsewhere; however, the FAE has continued to express an
interest in a response. Although the request is only for a
quote at this time, initiating discussions on the sale of
advanced fighter aircraft to Ecuador raises the question of
how such a sale would meet USG policy goals and the potential
for a negative reaction by other countries in the region.
The sale of F-16s would help maintain a longer term
U.S.-Ecuador military to military relationship, and keep
Ecuador from making the purchase from Russia, France, or
China. However, Ecuador's historic instability, current
leftist government, recent tensions with the U.S., and
economic woes also raise the question of its ability to pay
and the wisdom of the purchase, as well as its ultimate
objectives. The Embassy seeks guidance from Washington on
whether providing a price quote, with the potential for a
future sale, supports USG policy goals. (End Summary)
The GOE Makes Its Request
2. (C) The Embassy received an official memorandum dated
November 25, 2008. from the FAE requesting a price quote for
the potential purchase of two squadrons of F-16 C/D Block 50
MLU (24 total) aircraft. Although Post thought the GOE might
lose interest in the aircraft, subsequent verbal inquiries
have confirmed that the FAE still wants the information. In
meetings with several FAE generals, we are told that the
Ecuadorian military is looking to replace fully its current
Israeli KFIR and French Mirage fleet, which are both over 30
years old. The FAE currently has 33 out-of-commission
Mirages and KFIRs and three functional KFIRs. Initial
estimates of price are in excess of $800 million. The
request for a price quote would allow the FAE to include this
information in its proposal for 2010 and subsequent budgets.
Policy Concerns
3. (C) It is not clear whether U.S. policy will allow the
transfer of associated weapons systems for use by F-16s in
Ecuador. F-16 Block 50 aircraft are capable of employing the
US Air Force,s (USAF) most sophisticated and advanced
weapons technology, such as Joint Direct Attack Munition
GPS-guided bombs and laser guided munitions, as well as our
most advanced air-to-air missiles. Although it is extremely
unlikely that the GOE would use the aircraft or technology
against the U.S., Ecuador has a history of political
instability which could present a concern for regional
conflicts.
4. (C) Selling the F-16 to Ecuador, due to the high cost of
the package and subsequent need for maintenance, would help
in maintaining FAE-USAF ties for the next 30 years.
Furthermore, if the U.S. does not sell the F-16 and if the
GOE decides to move forward on the purchase of fighter
aircraft, the GOE could engage Russia, France or China, who
would have no issues in selling their aircraft. The Embassy
notes that it may be in the USG,s interest to strengthen the
military relationship through sales in general, rather than
having the GOE go elsewhere, but the significance of F-16s
merits careful consideration. Selling the F-16 also would
enable the U.S. to control the weapons capability used on
Ecuador's fighter aircraft.
Regional Impact
5. (C) Ecuador,s regional neighbors may perceive Ecuador,s
acquisition of the F-16s as a change in the regional balance
of power. Specifically, the history of conflict with Peru,
plus the March 1 Colombian attack in Ecuador and Ecuador,s
refusal to re-establish diplomatic relations with Colombia,
could cause regional U.S. allies to question the sale.
However, Peru has one of Russia,s most advanced fighters,
the SU-27, in its inventory, and Colombia recently completed
the acquisition of the most advanced Israeli KFIR.
Where,s the Money?
6. (C) Reflecting reduced oil revenues, Defense Minister
Javier Ponce announced on December 22 that the GOE will
reduce military spending by updating existing equipment,
setting a ceiling on military retirement pay, and selling off
non-defense related companies currently owned by the
military. Yet, the GOE has already made several commitments
for the acquisition of military equipment. The GOE spent
$631 million in almost two years ($463 million in 2008) to
acquire a Legacy 600 presidential plane, 24 Brazilian Super
Tucanos, seven Indian HAL Dhruv helicopters, jeeps, 14 boats,
two Leander class frigates, and other equipment and
munitions. The GOE has also told Embassy officials of its
strong interest in the purchase of two C-130Js at an
estimated cost of $240 million. The Ecuadorian military
announced the potential purchase of radars from the Chinese
government-owned Chinese Electronics Technology Corporation
(CETC) for use in the northern border region, at a cost of
$60 million (reftel). With all these announced purchases of
weapons, and with the global economic crisis and the price of
Ecuadorian oil at approximately $48 per barrel, it is unclear
whether the GOE would have sufficient funds to make the
purchase of F-16s. The priorities for the GOE during the
economic downturn also raises the question of whether this
money should be best spent elsewhere.
7. (C) High level Ecuadorian military officials have
privately told Embassy officials that the Minister of Defense
has instructed the Ecuadorian Joint Command to pursue any
acquisitions of military equipment from China, Russia or
Iran. However, FAE leadership continues to stress the
strategic benefits of purchasing the F-16s from the U.S.
Comment
8. (C) The purchase of the Super Tucanos and C-130s makes
more strategic sense for Ecuador in the patrol and protection
of its borders. The Embassy would like to avoid, however,
having to deny Ecuador,s request for only a price quote,
noting that an ultimate sale could take up to three years,
and that a price quote represents no commitment to make a
sale. The Embassy will attempt to guide the Ecuadorian
military in making strategic decisions on the purchase of
military equipment. Meanwhile, with the economic challenges
faced by the GOE and already announced reductions of military
spending, it is likely that the GOE will determine that
pursuing the purchase of fighter aircraft is not in its own
best interest at this time. The Embassy requests guidance
from Washington on whether providing a price quote, with the
potential for a future sale, supports USG policy goals.
HODGES
=======================CABLE ENDS============================
aunque los motores sean gringos.
ya veremos que pasa, a US le gustan estos negocios, además en el cable se menciona que si ellos no venden nos venderan otros y eso no les interesa, quieren asegurarse el mantenimiento y demás por 30 años.
