Under its modernisation plans to procure new main battle tanks (MBTs) and infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), the Brazilian Army is looking to procure solutions with a high degree of commonality, it has emerged.
Addressing Defence iQ’s 2025 International Armoured Vehicles conference (IAV 2025), held in Farnborough from 21-23 January, General Hertz Pires Do Nascimento, commander of the Brazilian Army’s Southern Military Command, said on 21 January that, in replacing Brazil’s Leopard 1 MBTs and M113 armoured personnel carriers (APCs), the army “is looking for platforms with the highest possible level of commonality”.
The general noted that the MBT project is scheduled to begin in 2028 with the goal of providing the army with a tank fleet “in line with current trends in tank warfare”, but that a subprogramme “also includes the implementation of an infantry fighting vehicle project”.
Gen Hertz gave no further details on the programme, which could, for example, involve the procurement of a tracked heavy IFV with a direct fire support variant, but he added, “We are looking for international market opportunities and potential partners to co-operate in the development of these projects with the objective of building them in Brazil.”
In a wide-ranging presentation, Gen Hertz also detailed the Brazilian Army’s current modernisation efforts. Regarding the development of the Brazilian Army’s armoured forces, he noted that the Guarani 6×6 APC is the main focus. Developed by Iveco in collaboration with the Brazilian Army, the Guarani is already in operational service, with Gen Hertz noting that more than 1,300 Guarani APCs will ultimately be delivered in several variants, including a variant armed with a remotely operated Elbit 30 mm cannon, a command post vehicle, air defence vehicles with firing and radar units, communication vehicles and ambulance variants in addition to the basic APC. An armoured engineering variant, the general added, is in the final stages of evaluation and subsequent serial production.
To modernise its mechanised cavalry regiments and replace its 90 mm gun-armed Engesa 6×6 Cascavel armoured cars, the Brazilian Army selected the Centauro II armed with a 120 mm gun and built by the Iveco – Oto Melara Consortium (CIO), Gen Hertz said. He added that the Brazilian Army had concluded the technical and operational evaluation of two sample vehicles and soon expects to sign a contract for 98 vehicles. Meanwhile, 98 Cascavels will be upgraded by a consortium of Brazilian companies contracted in 2023 to extend their service lives, the general added. While the Cascavels’ 90 mm guns will be retained, part of the fleet will be armed with the Brazilian MAX 1.2 AC anti-tank missile to increase their firepower.
Regarding lighter vehicles, Gen Hertz said the introduction of Iveco LMV-BR 2 4×4s “represents a significant change in the capabilities of mechanised brigades”, adding that some of these platforms are now in service and that 420 vehicles are to be delivered by 2033 to replace soft-skin vehicles currently in service.
In terms of artillery, Gen Hertz noted the success of Brazil’s strategic Astros multiple rocket launcher programme. While the Astros II artillery system entered service with the Brazilian Army in the early 1990s, the Astros II Mk6, which entered service from 2014, can fire Brazilian 300 km-range AVMT-300 cruise missiles.
The general also noted the Brazilian Army’s programme to acquire 155 mm self-propelled howitzers (SPHs). In April 2024 it was announced that the army had selected Israel’s Elbit Systems to provide 36 of its ATMOS wheeled SPHs, although a contract for these systems has been delayed by the Brazilian government in light of Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza.
