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A delegation of more than two dozen officers from the Brazilian Army Command and General Staff School will arrive in New Delhi on Monday for a two-week visit aimed at strengthening institutional ties between the Indian and Brazilian armies, while exploring India’s defence capabilities, military platforms and opportunities for industrial cooperation.
The delegation will meet senior Indian Army officials and other defence stakeholders before visiting key defence facilities, including those of BrahMos, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Tata Advanced Systems in Bengaluru. The programme will offer Brazilian officers an opportunity to assess Indian systems, understand their potential applications for Brazil’s armed forces and engage with Indian counterparts on military cooperation and professional exchanges.
While the visiting officers are not procurement decision-makers, their assessment of Indian platforms could help inform future requirements. The visit comes as Brazil explores new sources of military equipment and seeks to diversify its defence imports amid a changing geopolitical environment.
The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and the Akash surface-to-air missile system are expected to be among the major attractions, alongside other Indian platforms and opportunities for joint production.
BrahMos and Akash in Focus
The Indo-Russian BrahMos missile is among the Indian systems attracting Brazilian interest as the country explores capabilities to strengthen its maritime and coastal defences.
Indian and Brazilian officials have held several rounds of discussions, and Brazilian delegations have previously visited BrahMos facilities to examine the missile’s operational and industrial capabilities.
With its anti-ship and precision-strike capabilities, BrahMos could be relevant to Brazil’s maritime security requirements and extensive Atlantic coastline. A potential Brazilian acquisition would also give the missile a significant foothold in Latin America, expanding its international presence beyond existing markets.
Any deal, however, would require further technical assessments and negotiations. The upcoming visit provides another opportunity to examine the system and discuss wider industrial cooperation.
India’s Akash air-defence system is another potential area of cooperation as Brazil evaluates options to modernise its air defences.
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Akash is manufactured with the participation of Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), while BEL supplies key radar and electronic subsystems.
Brazil is evaluating the system under its Medium/High Altitude Air Defence Artillery programme following a formal Request for Information (RFI). Brazilian Army officials have also previously supported exploring a government-to-government acquisition.
During the visit to BEL’s facilities, the Brazilian officers will have an opportunity to examine not only the missile system but also its associated radar, command-and-control technologies and the scope for Brazilian industrial participation. BEL’s planned office in Brazil could further strengthen its engagement with local defence institutions and manufacturers.
Artillery and Maritime Cooperation
Brazil’s interest in Indian defence equipment extends beyond missiles. The Garuda 105 V2, an ultralightweight artillery system developed by Kalyani Strategic Systems, part of Bharat Forge, is another potential area of cooperation.
Designed for rapid deployment, the system combines mobility with digital fire control and a modular configuration. These features could be relevant to Brazil’s requirements for operations across difficult terrain, including remote areas of the Amazon region.
Maritime cooperation is also an important pillar of India-Brazil defence ties. A trilateral memorandum of understanding involving Mumbai-based Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and the two countries’ navies provides a framework for cooperation in maintaining Scorpène-class submarines and other military vessels.
Brazil has also expressed interest in Indian offshore patrol vessels, coastal surveillance and battlefield communications. Earlier discussions have included the possibility of joint warship construction and exchanges on shipbuilding practices.
The visit follows Exercise IBSAMAR IX 2026, the trilateral naval exercise involving India, Brazil and South Africa, held off Cape Town from October 12 to 20. The exercise included surface warfare, air defence, maritime interdiction, helicopter operations and live firing, reinforcing interoperability and maritime security cooperation.
From Sales to Joint Production
The broader defence relationship is increasingly focused on co-development, joint production and local manufacturing rather than conventional buyer-seller arrangements.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva have called for stronger industrial collaboration between the two countries.
Brazilian defence companies Taurus Armas and Companhia Brasileira de Cartuchos (CBC) have established partnerships in India. Bengaluru-based SSS Defence has partnered with CBC Global Ammunition, while Jindal Defence has signed a joint venture with Taurus Armas.
Further partnerships could emerge as both countries seek to expand domestic manufacturing and strengthen defence supply chains. BEL’s proposed presence in Brazil could support this effort, particularly in radar, electronics and command-and-control technologies.
Aerospace is another growing dimension of bilateral industrial ties. Brazilian manufacturer Embraer and Adani Defence & Aerospace have strengthened an agreement to establish a final assembly line for the E175 regional jet under India’s Regional Transport Aircraft programme.
Embraer and Hindalco Industries are also exploring opportunities in aerospace-grade aluminium manufacturing to support local supply chains.
For India, the Brazilian delegation’s visit offers an opportunity to showcase its expanding defence manufacturing base and identify potential export markets. For Brazil, it provides a closer look at Indian technologies and the scope for industrial partnerships as it seeks to diversify suppliers and build domestic capabilities.
Huma Siddiqui
