The Brazilian Army has a large number of active and planned projects, under the modernization plans of the Brazilian Armed Forces, defined in the National Defense White Paper (Portuguese: Livro Branco da Defesa Nacional - LBDN).[1] From 2010, Brazil started a radical change in its military policy, aiming to consolidate itself as the major power of Latin America.[2]

The prospective scenario analysis developed in 2005 by the U.S. Pentagon for the year 2035, foresees a permanent growth of Brazil's influence in international relations.[3] The intensification of projection in the concert of nations and its greater insertion in the global decisions, conduct the Armed Forces to a new structure compatible with the country's new political-strategic status.[3]

Active projects

The National Defence White Paper

Artillery systems

Since the incorporation of the ASTROS system in 1983, the Army continues to receive new systems[4] and modernize active units along the decades. In the last years, the Army placed new orders for the ASTROS 2020 Mk6, along with the new STREV system (Transportable Flight Device Tracking System).[5] The new generation of this artillery system, called ASTROS 2020, is one of the most strategic military programs in Brazil.[6]

The Brazilian Army is modernizing its self-propelled howitzer fleet, incorporating since the mid-2010s the American M109A5+, an upgraded version of the A5 comparable to the A6 Paladin in operation in the U.S. Army. As of 2021, 96 systems were in operation.[7][8] Other units will be incorporated in the 2020s, all of them modernized by BAE Systems in York PA.[9][10][11] Around 40 units of the M992 ammunition vehicle ertr received in the last years along with the new A5+.[12]

In 2018, Brazil placed an order for 120 units of the M198 155 mm howitzer, in order to replace the M114 along the 2020s.[13] The Army's is also replacing the towed mortar's systems, more than 500 units of the 120mm M2 were ordered in the mid-2010s, to replace the French RT F1.[14]

Armored vehicles

Brazil is conducting two major projects for the incorporation of new armoured vehicles. Since 2012, Iveco is delivering several units of the VBTP-MR Guarani 6×6 for the Army. As of 2021, more than 500 units are in operation in several armoured brigades all over the country.[15][16][17] 2,044 units were ordered in the mid-2010s, to finish by 2030.[18] 1,464 units of the Iveco LMV 4×4 were ordered in mid-2010s.[19] The Army is also receiving several units per year of modernized units of the M113 personnel carrier and the EE-11 Urutu.

Anti-aircraft systems

Since the 2010s, the Brazilian Army ordered several RBS 70 NG systems to equip the infantry brigades, and will continue to receive new units along the 2020s.[20] As of 2021, the Army operated 30 launchers.[21]

Radars

Since the mid-2010s, the Army is undergoing modernization of its radar inventory, with the SABER M20, M60 and M200, for air defense and ground radar roles, with operational ranges from 75 to 400 km.[22][23][24] These systems, along with the new STREV system, are combined with ASTROS, RBS 70, RBS 70 NG and 9K38 Igla already in operation in infantry brigades.[22]

Armaments

The Army develops along with Avibras the AV-TM 300 cruise missile. This missile can be used along with the ASTROS system, with an operational range from 30 km to 1,000 km carrying a warhead of up to 500 kg.[25][26] The missile is also in operation in the artillery brigades of the Brazilian Marine Corps. The main assault and battle rifles, such the M964 FAL, M964A1 ParaFAL and the IMBEL MD97 are undergoing replacement by the IMBEL IA2.[27]

Aircraft

AS565 Panther in flight

Since 2008, Brazil receives annually different types of helicopters from the Helibras factory in Itajubá, Minas Gerais. The models are the Eurocopter EC 725 Caracal,[28][29] AS532 Cougar,[30] AS565 Panther[31] and the AS550 Fennec.[32] The Brazilian Army also requested six Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks in 2009,[33] and eight Short C-23 Sherpas in 2017.[34]

SISFRON

The Integrated Border Monitoring System (SISFRON) is a border system developed by the Brazilian Army for supporting operational employment decisions, operating in an integrated manner with all defense systems in the country, whose purpose is to strengthen the presence and capacity for monitoring and action in the national land border strip. It was conceived at the initiative of the Army Command, as a result of the approval of the National Defense Strategy in 2008, which guides the organization of the Armed Forces.[35] SISFRON is supposed to be deployed along the 16,886 kilometers of the border line, favoring the employment of organizations subordinate to the North, West, Southern and the Amazon military commands.[35]

Planned projects

Modernization of the Leopard 1A5 BR

Since 2020, the Army plans the modernization of the fleet of the Leopard 1A5 BR main tank. The Bulletin No. 52/2020, with the Directive EME/C Ex No. 279, from 17 December 2020, orders the creation of a committee to study the program. The project proposes to obtain 116 modernized units, of the 220 in operation, extending their useful life until 2037.[3] The Army also plans a program for the acquisition of a new class of main tanks until 2030s.[36]

Assault gun 8×8

In December 2020, the Army launched a program to obtain 221 units of an 8 x 8 assault gun, for the replacement of the EE-9 Cascavel in operation since 1974.[37] The reported contenders of the program was reported to be the Iveco Centauro II, General Dynamics LAV 700, Norinco ST1, Patria AMV XP, ARTEC Boxer and the Elbit Eitan.[38]

155mm wheeled armored self-propelled howitzer

In July 2021, the Army launched a program to obtain new units of a 155 mm wheeled armored self-propelled howitzer.[39]

Medium-range air defense system

The Ministry of Defence will start in the 2020s[40] the acquisition of a medium-range air defense system. In December 2020, the MoD approved the prerequisites. The system will be operated by the three branches of the Brazilian Armed Forces, in order to reduce operational costs and to facilitating the integration between all systems already in operation in the forces. The baterry will have to comply with the following operational requirements: must be able to effectively engage aerospace threats simultaneously in a minimum horizontal engagement range not exceeding 2,000 meters; maximum horizontal engagement range not less than 40,000 meters; minimum vertical engagement range not exceeding 50 meters; and maximum vertical engagement range not less than 15,000 meters. The system will be capable to engage fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, cruise missiles and guided bombs.[40]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Livro Branco da Defesa Nacional" (PDF). Brazilian Government. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  2. ↑ "Brazilian Armed Forces modernization". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 "Leopard 1A5 BR, a modernização pode estar próxima". DefesaNet (in Portuguese). 17 December 2020.
  4. ↑ "El Ejército Brasileño adquirirá más vehículos Astros MK6". Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  5. ↑ "Exército recebe sistema móvel de rastreio para avaliação de mísseis e foguetes". 17 June 2021.
  6. ↑ "ASTROS III Multiple Launch Rocket System | Military-Today.com". Archived from the original on 2017-12-08. Retrieved 2017-12-03.
  7. ↑ "Defesa Aérea & Naval » » Exército receberá mais 60 M109-A5 dos EUA". 30 June 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-07-02. Retrieved 2017-07-01.
  8. ↑ "Regimento Mallet recebe M109 A5 + BR". Forte (in Portuguese). 15 October 2019.
  9. ↑ Brazil; Army plans to purchase US Army surplus 155mm artillery pieces Archived 5 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine – Dmilt.com, 13 March 2013
  10. ↑ Wasserbly, Daniel (20 September 2016). "BAE Systems awarded long-stalled Brazilian howitzer modernisation deal". IHS Jane's 360. Washington, DC. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  11. ↑ Barreira, Victor (18 July 2017). "Brazilian Army receiving 60 more US M109A5 howitzers". IHS Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 18 July 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  12. ↑ "Grupo de Artilharia do Exército recebe dez novas viaturas". DefesaNet (in Portuguese). 20 April 2021.
  13. ↑ "Defesa Aérea & Naval » » Exército Brasileiro irá adquirir canhão M198 Howitzer". 15 April 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-10-25. Retrieved 2018-10-24.
  14. ↑ "Terrestre - Projeto estratégico do Exército Brasileiro busca obter plena capacidade operacional". DefesaNet. Archived from the original on 2015-12-21. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  15. ↑ Exército. "Operacional". Revistaoperacional.com.br. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  16. ↑ Roberto Caiafa (2015-11-05). "LAAD 2015: Iveco apresenta seu portfólio". Tecnodefesa. Archived from the original on 2015-10-03. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  17. ↑ "DefesaNet - LAAD 2017 - Comitiva Federal prestigia projeto estratégico do EB na LAAD 2017". Archived from the original on 2017-04-11. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
  18. ↑ IVECO delivers first batch of VBTP-MR vehicles to the Brazilian Army Archived 2013-09-29 at the Wayback Machine - Armyrecognition.com, December 16, 2012
  19. ↑ "Brazil to acquire 1,464 LMV protected vehicles | IHS Jane's 360". Archived from the original on 2016-09-04. Retrieved 2016-09-19.
  20. ↑ "Llegan los RBS-70NG del Ejército Brasileño". 22 June 2021.
  21. ↑ "RBS 70 NG – a escolha brasileira da defesa aérea terrestre para todas as ameaças". 5 November 2019.
  22. 1 2 "Página Oficial do Centro Tecnológico do Exército (CTEx)". Retrieved 2015-07-05.
  23. ↑ "Radar Saber M60". Retrieved 2010-10-22.
  24. ↑ "Desdobramentos Tecnológicos no Desenvolvimento do Radar SABER M60" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-02-05.
  25. ↑ "Brasil adquire míssil Cruise tático com 300 km de alcance". 2021-06-24.
  26. ↑ "Avibras testará dois mísseis táticos de cruzeiro na Barreira do Inferno". 2021-06-24.
  27. ↑ "Fábrica de Itajubá realiza entrega de Fuzis IA2 5,56". Tecnodefesa. 7 July 2021.
  28. ↑ Farias, Ivy (8 September 2008). "Brasil produzirá em Minas Gerais helicópteros para as Forças Armadas". Agência Brasil. Retrieved on 11 July 2009.
  29. ↑ "Brazil’s $1B+ Order for EC725 Cougar Helicopters." Archived 25 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine Defense Industry Daily, 5 January 2012.
  30. ↑ "World Air Forces 2019". Flightglobal Insight. 2019. Archived from the original on 23 January 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
  31. ↑ "Brazilian Army upgrades its AS565K Panther fleet". 2012 Helihub.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  32. ↑ "World Air Forces 2018". Flightglobal Insight. 2018. Archived from the original on 6 February 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  33. ↑ "Brazil Buys UH-60L Black Hawks". Defense Industry Daily. 9 September 2012. Archived from the original on 15 June 2009. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
  34. ↑ "El Ejército de Brasil establece una negociación de compra a EEUU cuatro C-23B 'Sherpa' - Noticias Infodefensa América". Archived from the original on 2017-03-21. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  35. 1 2 "SISFRON". Brazilian Army (in Portuguese).
  36. ↑ "O Futuro carro de Combate do Brasil". DefesaNet (in Portuguese). 20 December 2017.
  37. ↑ "Exército Brasileiro dá a largada para o 8X8". Tecnodefesa (in Portuguese). 31 December 2020.
  38. ↑ "VBC Cav 8X8, as novidades". Tecnodefesa (in Portuguese). 13 May 2021.
  39. ↑ "EME Aprova a Diretriz de Iniciação do Projeto Viatura Blindada de Combate Obuseiro Autopropulsado 155 mm sobre rodas". Defesa Aerea e Naval (in Portuguese). 9 July 2021.
  40. 1 2 "MD aprova os Requisitos Operacionais Conjuntos para o Sistema de Artilharia Antiaérea de Média Altura/Médio Alcance". Defesa Aerea e Naval (in Portuguese). 27 December 2020.
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