On August 2024, the Army Staff (EME) announced Public Consultation EME/ASTROS No. 03/2024 to assess available towed 105 mm howitzers in national and international markets and conduct a preliminary price survey.
The Public Consultation will run from August 5 to November 5, 2024, as part of the Campaign Artillery System, which is integrated into the Strategic Army Program ASTROS (Prg EE ASTROS), with a total estimated value of over USD 425 million and lasting until 2031.
The Brazilian Army has published four documents on its website (www.epex.eb.mil.br):
- Public Consultation Edict
- Annex I – Statement of Compliance
- Annex II – Confidentiality Agreement
- Annex III – Commitment and Confidentiality Maintenance Term
Interested companies must complete these documents by August 12, 2024, to be eligible.
Operational Requirements Approved in the First Quarter of 2024
In the first quarter of 2024, the Commander of Land Operations approved the Operational Requirements for the Towed 105 mm Howitzer (EB70-RO-10.006), replacing Portaria No. 227 EME/2018. According to the COTER document, some of the Absolute Operational Requirements (ROAs) include:
- Caliber: Tube with a length equal to or greater than 30 times the caliber measurement.
- Range: Capability to reach targets at a minimum range of 11 km (conventional artillery ammunition).
- Operation and Maintenance: Ability to be positioned and fired within less than 4 minutes.
The Desirable Operational Requirements (RODs) include:
- Caliber: Tube with a length equal to or greater than 37 times the caliber measurement.
- Firing Sector: Capability to fire without adjustment in a firing sector of more than 6,400 mils (360º).
- Mobility: Capability to be transported by rotary-wing aircraft.
- Aiming and Fire Control System: Device for automatic aiming, independent for each piece.
- Ammunition: Capability to use special artillery ammunition, NATO standard.
- Operation and Maintenance: Ability to leave the firing position within a maximum of 1 minute and 30 seconds.
- Training: Simulation means to train operators in Portuguese.
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