Brazil Military Power 2020-2021

Overview

Brazil is by far the largest country in South America. It has a population of over 212 million. Its economy is among the largest in the world. With the Amazon rain forest providing a natural barrier in the north and weak neighbours all around making any land incursions impossible, most if Brazil's security concerns are confined to counter insurgency. 

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Capital: Brasilia

Population: 212.5 million

Defence Budget: 29.8 billion 

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Total Personnel 1,640,000

land forces

Despite Brazil's enormous size the Brazilian Army has a fairly modest amount of heavy equipment. The 437 tanks in Brazil's inventory consist of Leopard 1s and M60s. These don't really serve much of a purpose. As Brazil doesn't face a conventional threat. Instead Brazil's more inclined to use IFV's. The newest IFV in Brazil's arsenal is the domestically made VBTP-MR Guarani. With over 450 in service and a total of 2,044 ordered, this new IFV will be a useful tool in fighting insurgents across Brazil's expansive territory.

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Tanks: 437

AFV: 1,820

MLRS: 84

SPG: 132

Air force

With over 700 aircraft the Brazilian Air Force is moderately sized. However don't let its size fool you. The Brazilian Air Force lacks hardcore multirole fighters like F-16s. It instead had F-5s for air-to-air engagements. Meanwhile for ground attacks it has the AMX international and the Super Tucano. Both of these aircraft were developed by Brazil (Italy and Brazil worked on the AMX international). Interestingly the Brazilian Air Force has both SIGINT and AEW&C aircraft. This is strange because Brazil's combat fleet consists mainly of counter insurgency attack aircraft. Things may be about to change however. Brazil has ordered 27 JAS F-39Es. These will boost Brazil's air-to-air capabilities while also adding more ground attack options.

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Fighters: 44

Attack: 78

Armed UAVs: 0

Attack Helicopters: 12

Helicopters: 242

Other: 352

Navy

Brazil's navy has 4 major amphibious warfare vessels. This is abnormal for a country which primarily focuses on counter insurgency.  It may be an indication that Brazil is willing and able to project power throughout the continent. Along with the amphibious warfare vessels there are 7 frigates, 6 submarines and 6 corvettes as well as 18 patrol boats. Overall the Brazilian navy is fairly impressive. 

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Total Vessels: 112

Carriers and LHDs: 0

Destroyers: 4

Frigates: 7

Corvettes: 6

Submarines: 6

Strong points

• Defence industry has had some successes 

• A lot of manpower

• Navy has a good mixture of vessels

• Counter insurgency aircraft are plenty

• Decent training and motivation

weak points

• Lack of heavier, more capable multirole fighters

• Tanks are all old

• More armoured vehicles would be ideal

• Lack of war experience

• More attack helicopters would be a big boost for COIN operations

Manpower

1,640,000

Tanks

437

AFV

1,820

MLRS

84

SPG

132

Fighters

44

Attack 

78

UCAV

0

Attack helis

12

Helicopters

242

Other

352

Total vessels

112

Aircraft Carriers

0

Destroyers

4

Frigates

7

Corvettes

6

Submarines

6