Brazil to invest $11 billion in military Growth Acceleration Program.

According to Defense News on September 26, 2023, the Brazilian government has initiated a significant military investment program, known as the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC), which is set to allocate approximately 53 billion reals (US $11 billion) toward defense initiatives. Among the key focus areas of this program is the enhancement of armored forces, including the acquisition and development of armored vehicles and missile systems, and the development of crucial technologies.
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A significant portion of the investment will be directed toward the acquisition and modernization of military assets (Picture source: Brazilian Army, Avibras and Wikimedia)

A significant portion of the investment will be directed towards the acquisition of armored vehicles from the Italian manufacturer Iveco Defence. Iveco, which established a local manufacturing facility in Brazil a decade ago, has been an integral partner in reinforcing the Brazilian Army's capabilities. The range of vehicles proposed by Iveco includes LMV 2 Light Multirole 4x4 tactical armored vehicles, Guarani 6x6 armored personnel carrier (APC), and Centauro II 8x8 anti-tank armored vehicles.

In addition to armored vehicles, the investment program encompasses the Astros missile system developed by Avibras. This missile system is designed to enhance the Army's missile and rocket artillery capabilities, providing long-range and high-precision strategic fire support. Avibras recently introduced new variants of the Astros system, including the Astros II MK6 and the Astros III. The Astros III, in particular, has a maximum range of 300 kilometers and the ability to launch various types of projectiles, including ballistic rockets, guided rockets, ballistic missiles, and tactical cruise missiles.

Furthermore, the investment extends to the Army's aviation assets, including helicopters and drones. The military's aircraft acquisition efforts encompass maneuver helicopters specially designed for troop and equipment transport, weighing over 7.5 tons and intended for civilian mission support during national emergencies.

Under the PAC initiative, the Brazilian government is also funding the modernization of six HM-1A Pantera helicopters, manufactured by Brazilian firm Helibras, a subsidiary of Airbus Helicopters. This year saw the delivery of the first modernized unit.

The program includes plans for the acquisition of ten general-purpose helicopters, although specific details have not been provided. The Army already possesses a fleet of Helibras-made Caracal helicopters, known as HM-4 Jaguars, as part of the H-XBR project, a collaborative effort involving the Brazilian Navy, Army, and Air Force to provide aircraft for the military.

Another critical facet of the investment program is the procurement of nine drones. The Army has not disclosed the manufacturers involved but indicated that these unmanned aircraft will fall into categories 0 through 2, varying in terms of operating altitude and range. Category 0 drones weigh up to 2 kg, while Category 1 ranges from 2 kg to 150 kg, and Category 3 spans from 150 kg to 600 kg.