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India, Brazil Eye Joint Defence Production; Akash Missile, Garuda Gun in Focus

October 16, 2025

Brazil Defence Minister — Defence Ministers of India and Brazil reviewed ongoing defence initiatives in New Delhi

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday held wide-ranging talks with Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and Defence Minister José Múcio Monteiro Filho in New Delhi, marking a major push toward deepening bilateral defence ties. Both sides expressed a strong commitment to advancing joint development and co-production of military platforms, with discussions centring on key Indian-origin systems such as the Akash surface-to-air missile and the Garuda 105 V2 artillery gun — highlighting Brazil’s growing interest in India’s indigenous defence technologies.

Garuda 105 V2: A Lightweight Solution for Brazil’s Artillery Modernisation

Among the key agenda items was Brazil’s interest in India’s Garuda 105 V2, an ultra-lightweight, mobile artillery system developed by Kalyani Strategic Systems, a subsidiary of Bharat Forge. The Garuda is designed for high mobility and rapid deployment, especially in difficult terrains. Its modular design and digital fire control make it an attractive option for expeditionary and jungle warfare, aligning with Brazil’s operational needs in the Amazon region and across Latin America.

Akash Missile System Under Active Consideration

Officials also reiterated Brazil’s ongoing technical evaluation of the Akash surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, which is developed by DRDO and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited. Designed for medium-range aerial defence, the Akash system has been exported to Armenia and remains one of India’s flagship missile platforms. Despite delays attributed to internal budget reviews and external lobbying pressures, the Akash remains under “active technical consideration” for Brazil’s Medium/High Altitude Air Defence program, the source revealed.

Maritime and Submarine Cooperation

Defence and naval cooperation also featured prominently during the talks. Brazil, a member of the so-called “Scorpène Club” of nations operating the French-origin Scorpène-class submarines, is seeking greater collaboration with India on submarine maintenance, operations, and maritime domain awareness.

Discussions also included Brazil’s interest in acquiring Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) from India and tapping into Indian expertise in coastal surveillance and secure communication systems for battlefield applications.

Industry Engagement: Embraer, CBC, Taurus, and More

The visiting Brazilian delegation included top industry leaders from the aerospace, defence, and critical technologies sectors. Companies such as Embraer, Taurus Armas, CBC, and Avibras are actively exploring joint ventures with Indian partners under the “Make in India” and Atmanirbhar Bharat frameworks.

Talks also advanced on the C-390 Millennium transport aircraft program, with Embraer eyeing a potential order of up to 80 aircraft from the Indian Air Force under the MTA (Medium Transport Aircraft) procurement program. Embraer has already established a dedicated subsidiary in New Delhi to support its long-term strategic goals in the Indian defence ecosystem.

New Brazilian Defence Attachés in India

Brazil will formally station dedicated naval and air attachés at its Embassy in New Delhi—a first—underscoring a new phase of institutional defence diplomacy between the two nations. A defence attaché from the Brazilian Army is already posted in India, but this expanded representation will enable faster operational coordination and deeper technology dialogue.

Momentum toward 2026 Modi-Lula Summit

This visit marks the second high-level Brazilian defence delegation to India in just a few weeks, following the earlier visit by Brazil’s National Security Advisor. It sets the stage for deeper collaboration ahead of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s scheduled state visit to India in early 2026.

The Indian Defence Ministry stated that the leaders “identified priority areas for joint work, including co-development and co-production of defence equipment,” reflecting a shared vision for strategic autonomy and South-South collaboration.

As both India and Brazil seek to diversify their defence partnerships amid global geopolitical shifts, this renewed cooperation highlights their intent to forge a durable, mutually beneficial defence-industrial alliance.

Huma Siddiqui