On June 21, the Brazilian Army published Ordinance EME/C Ex. No. 1.338/2024, which approves the initiation directive for the Medium Altitude/High Altitude Air Defense Artillery System project (Pjt Sis AAAe Me Altu/G Altu). The project is part of the Army’s Strategic Program for Air Defense (Prg EE DAAe).
The ordinance was met with surprise in the Brazilian market. Until then, it was understood among local stakeholders that the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) would be responsible for high-altitude air defense systems, and the Army would only lead short and medium-range air defense projects.
A Feasibility Study (EV) of the project must be presented to the Chief of the Army General Staff (EME), General Richard Fernandez Nunes, within 90 days. Article 2 of the Ordinance defines the team responsible for conducting the study, which includes representatives from:
- Army General Staff (EME)
- Logistic Command (COLOG)
- Land Operations Command (COTER)
- Department of Science and Technology (DCT)
- Department of Engineering and Construction (DEC)
- Department of Education and Culture of the Army (DECEx)
- Southeast Military Command (CMSE)
In November 2023, the Brazilian Army had issued a Request for Quote (RFQ) to research the prices of medium-altitude air defense systems available in national and international markets. In February 2024, a second RFQ was published to gather additional information.
During a public hearing at the Committee on Foreign Relations and National Defense (CREDN) of the Chamber of Deputies in April this year, Army Commander General Tomás Miguel Paiva expressed concern about the absence of medium and high-altitude air defense systems in the country.
In his initial presentation at the CREDN, the military official stated that Brazil is “relatively protected” up to 3,000 meters in altitude but lacks more sophisticated technologies for national territory protection. He later told the deputies that he intended to suggest to the Ministry of Defense a “government-to-government” agreement with India to acquire the medium-range Akash anti-aircraft missile.
Brazil’s Approach to Defense with BRICS
Next month, the Army Commander will officially visit China for ten days to evaluate the competencies of the local defense industrial base and discuss opportunities for bilateral cooperation within the framework of the Army’s strategic programs. An Army delegation visited China in the second half of last year.
During that visit, the group had the opportunity to witness a live-fire demonstration of the DK-10 medium-altitude surface-to-air missile system—also known as Sky Dragon 50 or Tianlong-50—and the SH15 self-propelled howitzer, both manufactured by the state-owned China North Industries Corporation (Norinco).
In a recent interview, General Tomás Miguel Paiva, who previously visited India officially, advocated for a strategic and pragmatic approach of Brazil with BRICS countries, arguing that the country should not be “swayed by ideological polarization.”
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