India, Brazil keen on joint defence production-OxBig News Network

India and Brazil are eyeing each other’s defence manufacturing capabilities for joint production and mutual procurement of military equipment.

Brazil is keen at having Indian-made Akash missiles, artillery guns, coastal radars and secure communication used in the battlefield. The Akash missile proved its mettle during the skirmish with Pakistan from May 7-10.

India is keen on having a joint collaboration to develop an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) systems that would be based on a Brazilian-made plane Embraer.

Separately, Embraer and Indian firm Mahindra signed an MoU to collaborate on making the C-390 multi-mission transport aircraft. India is looking at planes of this class to replace the Soviet-origin AN 32 planes.

Some of these issues will come up for bilateral discussion when Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Brazil President Lula da Silva on the sidelines of the BRICS summit. Modi will visit Brazil from July 5 to 8, to attend the 17th BRICS summit, followed by a state visit.

Secretary East in the Ministry of External Affairs P Kumaran today said: “The two countries are looking at joint ventures, joint research and co-development. The Embraer is being looked at for a reconnaissance platform. There is a lot of potential to work with Brazil.”

Kumaran said Brazil has shown interest on Indian secure communication system, off shore patrol vessels, Akash missiles, coastal radars and artillery guns. Also, Brazil uses the French origin Scorpene class submarine — the same used by India — and is looking at having joint maintenance.

The two countries have a joint defence committee (JDC) established under a 2003 agreement. This committee has facilitated 14 high-level exchanges between defence chiefs of both nations.

Since 2007, 134 defence officers (70 from India, 64 from Brazil) have undergone training in each other’s institutions. In 2024, the two countries launched the 2+2 Political-Military Dialogue.

Both countries are strategic partners in multilateral forums like BRICS, the G20, and India Brazil South Africa (ISBA) platform.