In a major boost to India’s strategic outreach in South America, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)—a leading Indian defence public sector undertaking—is set to establish its first office in the region, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The exclusive development was confirmed by Indian Ambassador to Brazil, Suresh Reddy, in a conversation with BharatShakti, underscoring a significant step in deepening bilateral defence cooperation.
“The final paperwork for opening the BEL office in Brazil is underway in Delhi. It will help form partnerships and deepen cooperation in the defence sector,” Ambassador Reddy said in an exclusive interview with BharatShakti.
He also highlighted the synergy between BEL and Brazilian aerospace major Embraer, calling them “natural partners” given their strengths in electronic systems—an indicator of potential future collaborations.
The opening of BEL’s office comes at a time when Brazil is actively evaluating India’s Akash surface-to-air missile system as part of its Medium/High Altitude Air Defence Artillery System (MD/ADAAe) project. The Akash missile, developed by DRDO and manufactured by BEL, offers mobile, multi-target engagement capabilities with a range of up to 25 km—significantly superior to Brazil’s current interception range of around 3,000 metres.
According to defence sources, India’s Akash is being weighed against China’s Sky Dragon 50, making this a strategic contest between two major defence exporters vying for influence in Latin America’s largest military market. Indian and Brazilian officials have maintained consistent engagement since Brazil issued its RFI, with reports suggesting some senior Brazilian Army officers are backing a government-to-government route to fast-track procurement.
EXIM Bank to Open São Paulo Office in June
In a parallel development, India’s Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank) is also deepening its footprint in South America, with plans to open its first regional office in São Paulo by June 2025. The move marks a major shift from its current operations in the region, which were being managed out of its Washington, DC office.
The São Paulo office will be inaugurated during the visit of India’s Minister of State for Finance (MoS Finance), coinciding with the BRICS preparatory meetings. This office will play a crucial role in facilitating financing for joint defence production, infrastructure projects, and high-value bilateral initiatives. The Ambassador shared this information before departing for his new assignment as the Indian Ambassador to Egypt.
“This aligns perfectly with India’s goal of scaling up defence exports to $6 billion by 2029,” a senior official told BharatShakti.
With a global loan portfolio of $18.32 billion in 2023–24, Exim Bank is expected to offer low-cost, long-term financing packages, making Indian defence platforms more attractive in the global market.
Strategic Milestone for India–Brazil Ties
Together, BEL and Exim Bank’s moves mark a strategic inflection point in India-Brazil relations, signalling India’s intent to become a long-term partner in Brazil’s defence modernization and broader economic growth. The dual presence—on both the industrial and financial fronts—reinforces India’s ambitions to be a credible player in Latin America’s evolving defence landscape.
Huma Siddiqui
