SAO PAULO — The Brazilian government has launched fund to dedicated to Army capabilities, including the acquisition and development of armored vehicles from the Italian manufacturer Iveco Defence, Astros missile system from Avibras and more.
The plan is a component of the Growth Acceleration Program, or PAC, announced by the federal government in August. The hassle is ready to spend about 53 billion reals (U.S. $11 billion) on defense. A few of that cash will go toward an armored forces strategic program, the Army told Defense News.
“This program has a profound impact not only on the modernization of military capabilities but additionally on the event of critical technologies,” the Army told Defense News in a Sept. 20 statement.
The concentrate on armored vehicles will see various types manufactured by the Iveco, which opened an area factory 10 years ago as a part of its work with the Army, the service explained. Types include six-wheel drive Guarani armored vehicles, four-wheel drive multitask Guaicuru armored vehicles, eight-wheel drive Centauro combat vehicles, six-wheel drive Cascavel medium reconnaissance vehicles, and modernized Leopard 1 tanks made by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann.
The tank modernization effort was previously postponed “as a result of high demand for armored vehicle parts within the international market,” the military reported Sept. 17.
The Astros missile system is a component of an overall effort to “contribute to the organization of missile and rocket artillery,” enabling long-range and high-precision strategic fire support, the Army said.
Earlier this 12 months, Avibras unveiled recent variants of the weapon: the Astros II MK6 and the Astros III. The previous has a maximum range of 300 kilometers (186 miles). The latter, which has greater firepower, is designed to operate from an eight-wheel drive vehicle and might launch ballistic rockets, guided rockets, ballistic missiles and tactical cruise missiles, based on the corporate.
One other a part of the investments is directed toward the Army’s aircraft and drones. The military reported aircraft acquisition efforts include “maneuver helicopters” used to move troops and equipment. In line with the armed forces, these helicopters would weigh greater than 7.5 tons and will contribute to civilian missions, akin to national emergencies.
In line with the federal government, the PAC investment effort is funding the modernization of six HM-1A Pantera helicopters, manufactured by Brazilian firm Helibras, a subsidiary of the French company Airbus Helicopters. The corporate this 12 months delivered the primary modernized unit.
The plan also includes “the acquisition of ten general-purpose helicopters,” the military announced, without providing further details. Nevertheless, the force has an aviation battalion composed of Helibras-made Caracal helicopters, that are generally known as HM-4 Jaguars inside the Army. They were made under Brazil’s H-XBR project, which involves all three armed forces and continues to supply aircraft for the military.
One other a part of the project involves the acquisition of nine drones. In line with the Army, which didn’t discover the manufacturers involved, these unmanned aircraft will belong to categories 0 through 2, which vary by way of operating altitude and range. Category 0 corresponds to drones weighing as much as 2 kilograms (4 kilos). Category 1 ranges from 2 kilograms to 150 kilograms, and the third category ranges from 150 kilograms to 600 kilograms.
Pedro Pligher is a Latin America correspondent for Defense News. He has reported on politics, economics and the Brazilian small arms industry.