The Brazilian Army’s Armored Forces Strategic Program aims to renew the country’s armored vehicle fleet by 2040, fostering research, development and innovation in its defense industry in the process. The ultimate goal is to achieve full operational availability of the Army’s light, medium and heavy vehicles. The program also seeks to strengthen the force’s responsiveness at the tactical, operational and strategic levels.
The focus on modernizing and improving the capabilities of the armored forces is aligned with the overall transformation objectives of the Brazilian Army, which include maintaining an effective deterrent presence and being prepared to respond to contingencies in any area of strategic interest to Brazil.
- EE-9 CASCAVEL 90mm Reconnaissance Vehicle EE-9 CASCAVEL 90mm (modernized)
- Light Multi-Purpose Vehicle 4×4 (LMV-2)
- Leopard 1A5BR 105mm Tank (Modernized)
- Armored Cavalry Vehicle 8×8 (Centaur II)
- Infantry Fighting Vehicle (under selection process)
- 155mm Self-propelled Wheeled Howitzer (Atmos)
- Armored Personnel Carrier and 6×6 Variants (Guarani)
- New heavy tank (under selection process)
Guarani VBTP-MR
The 6×6 medium wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) project focuses on the acquisition and deployment of new Guarani VBTP-MR, locally manufactured and developed by IVECO in collaboration with Brazilian military engineering, representing an important addition to the country’s defense capabilities.
The Guarani have the capability to be equipped with remote and manually operated weapon stations, providing flexibility in terms of armament and combat capabilities. Some versions of these vehicles can include a remotely controlled 30mm cannon (SARC UT-30BR), which significantly increases their firepower and responsiveness in combat situations. This adaptation allows them to face a variety of operational scenarios and play diverse roles on the battlefield, thus improving their effectiveness and versatility in the various military operations they maintain.
To reminisce a bit, in 1999, the Brazilian Army issued a request for the design of a new type of armored vehicle with amphibious capability, intended to replace the Cascavel and Urutu armored vehicles developed and manufactured in the 1970s by ENGESA. Among the characteristics of this new vehicle, a modular design was sought that would allow the integration of various weapon systems, turrets, medium and long range weapons, sensors and communication systems in variants of the same chassis.
These vehicles are specially designed to prioritize the protection of the crew and troops being transported. Their armored structure offers a very effective defense against multiple threats on the battlefield, which is essential to ensure the survival and safety of ground forces in combat situations.
The Guarani also has an engineer’s version that is in the final stages of evaluation and mass production, with the ability to use interchangeable attachments for engineering and demining work. On the other hand, the armored mortar carrier vehicle is under development as part of an integration project carried out by IVECO, with completion of the project scheduled between 2029 and 2033. In addition, taking advantage of the platform’s versatility, the EB plans to develop several versions: command post, air defense and a version with radar, communications and ambulance.
Modernization of the EE-09 Cascavel:
Another of the fundamental points is found in the effort to modernize the current armored means of the Mechanized Cavalry Regiments. In this sense, the Brazilian Army carried out an exhaustive selection process to choose a replacement for its obsolete Cascavel armored vehicles. As part of the modernization program, a consortium of Brazilian companies was contracted to extend the vehicle’s life cycle. The project retains the 90 mm cannon, but part of the fleet will also be equipped with anti-tank missiles to increase its firepower. The armored vehicles are expected to be delivered by 2030.
Centauro II
On the other hand, within the framework of the Cavalry Armored Combat Vehicle Procurement Project, the Army opted for the Centauro 2 as a complement and future replacement for the Cascavel. Manufactured by the Italian-Brazilian Iveco-Oto Melara consortium, this highly mobile 8×8 vehicle is equipped with a 120 mm low recoil cannon, together with a Brazilian battlefield management system.
The main armament of the Centaur 2 consists of a 105/52 mm, gyro-stabilized, high-pressure gun, equipped with thermal jacket, muzzle brake to reduce recoil and integrated smoke extractor. It also has a total of 40 shells, 14 of which are ready to be fired from the turret and the remaining 26 stored as reserve. This gun, derived from the British 105 mm Royal Ordnance L7, is a key part of the vehicle’s armament and can use NATO standard ammunition, including kinetic energy penetration shells.
The hull design is a fully welded steel armored hull, designed to withstand 12.7 millimeter rounds and explosive shrapnel in its basic configuration, offering additional protection against 25 mm ammunition in the frontal area. To increase its level of protection, extra armor plates can be added to protect against 30 mm ammunition.
In addition to its robust structure, the Centauro has an integrated CBRN (nuclear, biological and chemical) protection system that is part of the vehicle’s air conditioning system. It also incorporates 4 smoke grenade launchers on each side of the turret and a warning system against LWR (Laser Warning Receiver) laser targeting systems, which contribute to reinforce its defensive capability and readiness for various operational scenarios.
As mentioned in previous articles in Zona Militar, the first prototype is expected to arrive in Brazil in the next few days after facing bureaucratic setbacks at the port of Hamburg, Germany. On the other hand, the second prototype will be held in Italy for evaluation before being shipped to Brazil.
IVECO is also providing the new LMV-BR vehicle, representing a significant structural change in the capabilities of mechanized brigades. Some of these 4×4 platforms have already been delivered, and two more batches are expected to be delivered between 2023 and 2028. These armored vehicles are intended to significantly increase the protection of troops on the ground. Among the latest milestones in these efforts, the acquisition of 420 new units was recently confirmed through a contract signed during the current month of June.
The Armored Forces Program also includes the acquisition of the Armored Self-propelled Wheeled Artillery Combat Vehicle. With the selection of the Israeli ATMOS, two prototypes are scheduled to arrive in 2024 for operational testing by the Brazilian Army. If it progresses positively, it is expected that an order for a total of 34 (thirty-four) units to be delivered in annual batches until 2034 will be signed. With their incorporation, the EB will complete the replacement of part of its older M109 self-propelled howitzers, while complementing the modernized M109A5 BR.
The tracked vehicles subprogram is aimed at modernizing the force’s main means of armored combat and the incorporation of new infantry fighting vehicles (IFV), setting the update of the Leopard 1 A5 BR fleet, while new platforms are being developed and acquired. To date, it is unclear whether the EB is looking for a new MBT type tank to replace the Leopard in the future, or a platform that, thanks to its versatility, can be equipped with a turret equipped with 105 or 120mm for combat against armor; while another version fulfills the task of supporting infantry units. Considering the various options currently available on the market, the following models are under evaluation:
- Elbit SABRA LIGHT
- BAE Systems CV90
- NORINCO VT5 / VN17
- AFV (Hunter Armored Fighting Vehicle) of ST Enginering
Finally, the training of armored vehicle crews is an important aspect of the Brazilian Army’s preparedness. Due to the cost of ammunition, simulators are a priority. Currently, Brazil uses good simulators for the Leopard 1A5, and they are developing simulators for the Guarani family and for the Elbit UT-30 turret. In addition, simulators will also be developed for the new Centauro II.
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