Brazilian Defense Minister Geraldo Magela da Cruz Quintao is visiting companies bidding to provide the Brazilian Air Force with its next fighter. Candidates include the Swedish JAS39 Gryphon, the French Mirage-2000 and Rafale, and the US F-18 Hornet and F-16 Falcon. Brazil has about 48 ancient F-5E/F fighters and 20 or so French Mirage-IIIs. It is thought that Sweden has the inside track, as Brazil has recently purchased Swedish torpedoes for its submarines and is negotiating to buy Swedish anti-ship missiles for its Navy.--Stephen V Cole