Brazilian Armed Forces exhibit their strategic projects at LAAD 2023

By Carolina Militão

The Brazilian Armed Forces will exhibit their main strategic programs, both ongoing and for the future, during the 13th edition of LAAD Defence & Security, to be held in Rio de Janeiro from April 11 to 14.

The fair, considered the largest and most important in Latin America, is conducive to business relations and cooperation initiatives.

The role of the Ministry of Defense (MD) is to promote the Brazilian Defense Industrial Base (BID), focusing on equipping the Armed Forces to guarantee national sovereignty and contribute to the country’s development.

The Defense and Security sector currently represents about 5% of the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and employs 2.9 million people.

The Secretary of Defense Products, Rui Chagas Mesquita, highlights the positive effects of promoting the Defense Industrial Base:

“A strong defense industry has a high potential to boost the country’s economic and social development, as it contributes to the reduction of external technological dependence, expands exports, increases domestic consumption, and helps retain talent”.

During the four days, the Brazilian Navy, Army, and Air Force will exhibit 31 strategic projects that are fundamental to guarantee the Defense’s capacity to fulfill its constitutional missions.

Each force will have a dedicated space to present their projects, which provide the necessary capabilities for the surveillance, control, and defense of Brazilian territory, jurisdictional waters, and air and outer space.

In addition, it contributes to the fight against deforestation and cross-border crimes, promoting humanitarian actions and supporting Civil Defense, among other initiatives.

NAVY

Some attractions foreshadow the future, such as the models of the Tamandaré class frigate (versatile vessels with high combat power for the Defense of the Blue Amazon.

At the peak of production, it should generate 8,000 direct and indirect jobs) and the Álvaro Alberto submarine, the first conventionally armed with nuclear propulsion.

The nuclear technology developed should generate even more indirect benefits, such as water desalination, food irradiation, and the production of radiopharmaceuticals.

ARMY

The Guarani armored vehicles stand out, with amphibious and night operation capabilities, in addition to 800 km of autonomy and the possibility of transporting up to 11 military personnel.

Also noteworthy are the Astros Universal Multiple Launch Vehicle, for launching high-tech missiles and rockets that can reach targets up to 300 km, and the Saber M60 radars, which detect aerial targets for anti-aircraft artillery defenses and are used in surveillance actions.

AIR FORCE

Through a digital totem, those interested can see the F-39 Gripen, the country’s new air defense fighter; the KC-390 Millennium, the largest military aircraft developed and manufactured in the southern hemisphere; and the Strategic Space Systems Program (PESE).

The program includes control, receiving, and data processing ground stations that provide Earth observation, telecommunications, information mapping, positioning, and space surveillance services, among other resources.

MINISTRY OF DEFENSE

With 100 m2, the MD stand in Hall 2 will have meeting rooms, a thematic exhibition area (strategic projects of the MD and the Armed Forces), video projections with defense products, and interactive totems on the work with the IDB.

The Defense Products Secretariat (Seprod) of the Ministry of Defense acts in prospecting new markets and Brazilian trade promotion, supports the development of new technologies, accredits companies, registers products, and authorizes exports.

It also acts in the economic scenario to support the development and sustainability of the industrial base. Currently, the Seprod database registers 1,130 companies registered as active in the defense industrial park.

LAAD has been held since 1997 and brings together, in addition to the Armed Forces, Brazilian and international companies specialized in supplying “multi-client” equipment and services – armed forces, special forces, security forces, and government agencies, among other players.

The program also includes exhibitions, congresses, and security seminars with information and news from the sector.

MD’s participation in LAAD 2023 results from collaboration with the company organizing the event under a cooperation agreement.

Access to the public is available by accreditation.

With information from Infodefensa