MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil purchases 12 French Mirage 2000

Brazil purchased twelve French combat aircraft Mirage 2000 during the official visit of President Lula da Silva to Paris where he was the guest of honour for the July 14th Bastille Day celebrations.

The Elyse Palace announced the agreement was signed by Brazilian Foreign Affairs minister Celso Amorim and French Defence minister Michelle Alliot-Marie.

President Lula's three days visit began July 14th when next to President Jacques Chirac he reviewed the huge military parade that on this occasion included Brazilian infantry and seven "Tucano" training aircraft.

Actually fifty members of the Brazilian marines music band and 96 cadets from the Agujas Negras military Academy, with their colourful uniforms dating back to 1790 opened the parade while sixty aircraft over flew the Champs Elysées from the Arc of Triumph to the Place of the Concorde.

These were followed by the march of French light and armoured vehicles which was accompanied by a swarm of 29 helicopters.

The air parade was closed by the seven Brazilian designed and built one engine "Tucano" which covered the Paris sky with the green and yellow of the Brazilian flag,