Brazilian Army and Akaer sign contract for modernization of Cascavel armored vehicles

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Brazilian Army and the Consórcio Força Terrestre, led by Akaer and also formed by the companies Opto and Universalel, signed the contract for the modernization of the EE-9 Cascavel armored vehicles.

The contract officialization took place in front of the Brazilian Army Headquarters, in Brasília (Federal District), with the presence of Akaer’s general director, Cesar Silva, Akaer’s vice-president of Sales and Marketing, Aldo da Silva Junior, and the Army’s manufacturing director, Major General Tales Eduardo Areco Villela.

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The result of the tender won by Consórcio Força Terrestre for the modernization of an initial batch of 9 units of the EE-9 Cascavel was published in the Diário Oficial da União on May 4, 2008.

It is a complete package of improvements: new motorization, revitalization of the suspension, an automated turret to optimize the firing position and improve situational awareness, air conditioning, replacement of the optical sights with state-of-the-art optronic sights to search and aim at targets and identify possible threats, an anti-tank missile launcher in its main turret, a firing computer to perform all ballistic calculations and, finally, another command and control computer that will analyze in real-time all sensors spread throughout the vehicle to read environmental parameters that may interfere with mission execution.

The Brazilian Army has more than 400 EE-9 Cascavel in its fleet, which have been in use for more than 45 years throughout the national territory and which, over the years, require technological updating to improve the operational capacity of the mechanized troops in the operations to which they are assigned.

The observance of these aspects and the careful analysis of a Feasibility Study were fundamental for the Army General Staff to approve the Implementation Directive for the Modernization Project of the EE-9 Cascavel, which is part of the Army’s Armored Forces Strategic Program.

The objective of the first phase of the project is to modernize 98 armored vehicles, carrying out the integration of the vehicle platform, Command and Control, and weapons systems; the training, qualification, and training of human resources for the modernized vehicle and its systems; the planning and implementation of the Integrated Logistic System (SLI) required for the vehicle and its systems; the preparation of the Brazilian Army for the replacement of its 6×6 VBR with the future armored cavalry vehicles; the extension of the MEM’s useful life for at least 15 years; and participation in the planning and coordination of doctrinal and logistical experimentation.

This first contract celebrates the delivery of two prototypes and seven pilot batch vehicles that will undergo modernization of the automotive and air conditioning platform necessary for the proper functioning of the electronic equipment; revitalization of the 90 mm gun; installation of driver, commander, and gunner vision kits; command and control equipment; missile launching platform; firing computer; and assisted turning and elevation.

For Cesar Silva, CEO of Akaer, the Army’s initiative to adapt the Cascavel armored vehicle for the modern battlefield, in addition to strengthening and improving the country’s defense, also boosts the Brazilian economy. “The incentive to the Defense industry collaborates with the economic and technological development of our country, in addition to the generation of jobs.”

Still, according to Cesar, it is an honor that the Ground Force Consortium, led by Akaer together with its partners – Universal, a company active in the history of the EE-9 Cascavel, and Opto Space & Defense, known for developing advanced optronic systems, has been chosen for this venture so relevant to the country’s Defense industry.

With information from InfoDefensa