Ecuador military plans to buy 24 Brazilian fighter planes

Ecuador’s Air Force chief says the country plans to purchase 24 Brazilian Super Tucano fighter planes to help bolster its military strength on the border with Colombia.br /President Rafael Correa has said Ecuador needs the reinforcements since Colombia’s March 1 cross-border military raid on a rebel camp.br /Gen. Rodrigo Bohorquez says the planes will cost up to US$300 million (¤194 million).br /Bohorquez said Friday that the purchase will be made within the next two months, and Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer SA will deliver the planes within a year.br /Correa, who cut off diplomatic ties with Colombia following the raid, said in April that Ecuador would modernize its aging air force to enforce its border.