The Brazilian Army has taken delivery of 32 refurbished and modernized M109 A5 BR-Plus self-propelled howitzers and 5 M88A1 armored recovery vehicles from BAE systems.

Unloading of an M109 A5 BR-Plus self-propelled howitzer after refurbishment by BAE Systems (Picture source: Tecnologia & Defesa)

The Brazilian Army acquired these surplus vehicle stocks from the United States in 2014 in order to bolster its mobile artillery and armored recovery capacity. The acquisitions were managed through the United States' Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Excess Defense Articles (EDA) programs.

The M109A5 Self-Propelled Howitzer is easily customized to specific mission requirements, including increased ammunition storage; improved ammunition handling; position and navigation systems; and automated fire control and communication systems. The M109A5's M284 cannon and M182 mount extend the howitzer's firing range by 25 percent over earlier M109s. The A5 can carry 36 complete rounds of ammunition, with an assisted firing range of 30 km. The M109A5 fires all NATO standard 155mm ammunition. Its external NATO power receptacle permits the M109A5 to be electrically powered by the M992 Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicle (FAASV). A high degree of logistics commonality with other M109 family vehicles facilitates both maintenance and training.

The $54 million modernization package implemented by BAE systems includes an overhaul of the vehicles targeting systems and the integration of modern communications and radar systems provided by contractors Harris and Thales. The effort to retrofit these vehicle stocks is part of a wider Brazilian Army initiative to improve the overall readiness and efficacy of its armored fleets.