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After years of exploratory talks, India and Brazil are now advancing toward a structured and strategic defence partnership. Defence cooperation has emerged as a cornerstone of this bilateral relationship, with both governments charting concrete pathways across aerospace, maritime, and land-based defence systems.
Embraer Expands Footprint In India
A major milestone in this collaboration is Brazilian aerospace giant Embraer’s decision to open a fully integrated office in India, aimed at strengthening its role in both civil and military aviation markets.
According to a senior Indian defence official quoted by BharatShakti, Embraer is actively participating in several Indian defence procurement programs, including the Indian Air Force’s Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) project.
“There are serious conversations on joint ventures,” the official noted, adding that Embraer has “reasonable chances of securing at least one tranche” of the MTA requirement.
Other areas of cooperation being discussed include sales of the E145 aircraft, air traffic control systems, and support for regional connectivity—all aligning with India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Akash And Scorpène-Class Submarines
In addition to aviation, both sides are exploring collaboration on key defence systems such as the Akash-N surface-to-air missile and Scorpène-class submarines. However, foundational agreements like information-sharing protocols and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are still under negotiation.
“These are fundamental for any long-term, structured defence partnerships,” the senior officer stated.
Top diplomatic sources also confirmed that “the system is under evaluation,” referring to the Akash missile system, following a formal Request for Information (RFI) submitted by Brazil.
BharatShakti has reported previously that Brazil sees the Akash system as a critical capability upgrade. With current systems only capable of intercepting threats at altitudes up to 3,000 meters, Brazilian Army officials have reportedly proposed a government-to-government acquisition. This move reflects both urgency and strategic ambition.
Financing Defence Trade: Exim Bank’s Foray Into Brazil
In a major financial development, India’s Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank) is set to open its first office in Brazil soon. The bank’s presence is expected to facilitate smoother financing for long-term, cost-effective defence exports and joint ventures in Latin America.
“This move aligns perfectly with India’s goal of scaling defence exports to $6 billion by 2029,” a senior source told BharatShakti. “Exim’s expanded footprint will help move Indian defence exports up the value chain.”
Shipbuilding And Submarine Expertise Sharing
Shipbuilding has emerged as another promising area for cooperation. Brazilian officials have expressed interest in jointly developing warships and adopting best practices from Indian counterparts. This collaboration could extend to forums like the Scorpène Club—a platform where nations operating the French-designed submarines share knowledge and operational experiences.
“More on the lines of sharing experiences and expertise,” sources added, indicating a mutual desire for capacity-building.
BEL To Establish Office In Brazil
In a landmark move, India’s defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) is preparing to open its first regional office in Rio de Janeiro. This will help form partnerships and deepen cooperation in the defence sector.
According to officials, BEL and Embraer are “natural partners,” given their complementary strengths in electronic systems, which could lead to significant collaboration in air defence technologies.
MKU: Indian Defence Exports Making Inroads In Latin America
Among Indian private sector companies, Kanpur based MKU has been present in the region for long.
In an exclusive interaction with BharatShakti, Karan Gupta, Vice President for International Sales, Strategy, and Business Development at MKU, revealed that the company has exported approximately USD 60 million worth of defence equipment to countries including Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Ecuador, and Mexico.
“In Brazil alone, we have supplied over 100,000 bulletproof vests to the police, ballistic helmets to the Army and Police, and night vision and thermal imaging devices,” Gupta shared. “We can proudly say that we are the only Indian company in our product domain to have sold in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay.”
He also highlighted MKU’s establishment of a dedicated sales office in São Paulo’s Itaim Bibi financial district to strengthen its local presence.
Commenting on Argentina, Gupta noted that while the country’s economic crisis had slowed procurement, recent reforms aimed at easing international trade have reignited MKU’s efforts there. “Argentina is now in revival mode,” he said, pointing to government streamlining of procurement and product standard reforms as promising signs.
