In a move to fortify its defence capabilities, the Brazilian Army has agreed with IDV to procure 420 LMV-BR 2 (Light Multirole Vehicle) units.
Referred to domestically as "Guaicurus," these military vehicles will augment the Army's mobility and tactical readiness across operational terrains.
The contract, facilitated through the Army Manufacturing Directorate, emphasises Brazil's push to enhance indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities. IDV, known for its military vehicle production, will localise production of the LMV-BR 2 units at its facility in Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais, further bolstering Brazil's defence industry landscape.
With a share of 73.6% and a cumulative expenditure of $3.4bn (18.5bn reais), Brazil is expected to account for the largest share of the Latin American military land vehicles market over the forecast period, according to GlobalData’s “The Global Military Land Vehicles Market 2023-2033” report.
The LMV-BR 2 variants will feature both manual weapon systems and remote controlled weapon systems tailored to meet the demands of modern warfare scenarios.
In years past, the Brazilian Army also selected the Centauro II, produced by the Italian Iveco-Oto Melara consortium CIO, as its new armoured vehicle under the VBC Cav—MSR 8x8 project.
The partnership between the Brazilian Army and IDV marks a continuation of their longstanding collaboration, which has previously yielded milestones such as the supply of 700 units of the 6×6 amphibious armoured vehicle Guarani and 32 units of the LMV-BR. This latest contract reveals the partnership and reinforces Brazil's commitment to bolstering its defence infrastructure through investments in military technologies.
Since 2012, IVECO has been supplying the Army with VBTP-MR Guarani armoured vehicles. According to GlobalData's intelligence on the Brazilian defence market, the country is anticipated to acquire 2,044 APC vehicles under the Guarani 2.0 programme over the next decade.
The LMV-BR 2 vehicles have been developed with user feedback and operational insights, ensuring they meet the requirements of modern military operations, including specialised missions in urban environments and peacekeeping operations.
The first batch of LMV-BR 2 vehicles is slated for delivery in 2026, marking the beginning of a transformative phase in Brazil's defence modernisation efforts. With a decade-long horizon, this contract enhances operational readiness and stimulates economic growth through localised production and technology transfer.
