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Amid rising speculation around a potential ‘swap deal’ involving India’s Akash missile system and Brazil’s C-390 Millennium transport aircraft, senior Brazilian officials have firmly denied any such arrangement during high-level defence meetings held earlier this week in the Indian capital.
Brazil’s Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, accompanied by Defence Minister José Múcio and Air Force Chief Lt. Brig. Marcelo Damasceno, met with India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other senior Indian leaders to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation. However, contrary to widespread media speculation, officials confirmed that no quid pro quo or barter-style deal was discussed linking the C-390 to a prospective Indian missile purchase.
Responding to a question by BharatShakti during a media interaction with select journalists in New Delhi, Vice President Alckmin categorically dismissed the swap narrative: “Well, there is no precedence there. Embraer already has aircraft flying in India and is associating with an Indian company. It is interested in manufacturing equipment here in India. But there is no relation to other issues of a commercial nature.”
Defence Ties, Not Deals
Brazil’s Embassy in India has also issued a clarification in response to erroneous media coverage alleging a so-called “reciprocal arms buy.”
“The relationship in defence is not based on ‘reciprocal’ deals, but on the recognition of the high quality and technological advancement of our defence industries, and on the strong strategic bonds between our countries,” top diplomats told BharatShakti in an exclusive interaction.
Both sides underlined their intention to explore collaborative defence manufacturing and technological development.
“Embraer has opened an office in New Delhi. We have signed an understanding to explore partnership in defence and aviation technologies,” Alckmin noted, highlighting Brazil’s strategic long-term interest in the Indian defence ecosystem.
Growing Interest in Indian Defence Platforms
In the bilateral meetings, India’s indigenous defence platforms such as the Akash missile system, Garuda 105 V2 artillery gun, and offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) were central to discussions, signalling Brazil’s appreciation for India’s evolving defence industrial base.
Brazil continues to evaluate the Akash medium-range surface-to-air missile system, developed by DRDO, for its Medium/High Altitude Air Defence Artillery program. While procurement has seen delays due to budgetary and lobbying dynamics, officials maintain that the evaluation is technical and independent of any Brazilian offer involving the C-390.
Expanding Industrial Collaboration
Brazilian defence firms — including Embraer, Taurus Armas, CBC, Avibras, Atech, and others — were part of the visiting delegation, with several companies already having joint ventures with Indian counterparts such as SSS Defence, Mahindra Defence, and Jindal Defence.
The scope of cooperation spans small arms, ammunition, aerospace systems, and the co-production of complex platforms. Brazil’s interest also extends to Indian-origin helicopters like the Prachand and Rudra, and airborne early warning systems, notably DRDO’s NETRA, based on the Embraer E-145 platform.
Institutional Commitment Strengthens
In a move signifying deeper defence tie, Brazil has formally appointed dedicated air and naval attachés to its Embassy in New Delhi, a first for the South American nation. It complements the already posted Army attaché and is seen as a significant institutional upgrade to boost strategic coordination and defence-industrial exchanges between the two democracies.
Huma Siddiqui
