In a boost to India’s defence export, Brazil is keen on buying the Akash air defence system, which proved its mettle during the recent India-Pakistan conflict.
Brazil’s interest in the Akash missile system coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Latin American country.
PM Modi will travel to Brazil at the invitation of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to attend the BRICS Summit. He will be in Brazil from July 5 to 8, 2025, to attend the 17th BRICS summit, followed by a state visit. This will be PM Modi’s fourth visit to Brazil as the prime minister.
Brazil To Acquire India’s Akash System
On Defence cooperation between India and Brazil, Ambassador of Brazil to India, Kenneth Felix Haczynski da Nóbrega told ANI, “…There is a possibility of India selling Akash systems to Brazil, patrol vessels, concluding a memorandum of understanding on managing the so called Scorpène-class submarine because Brazil also has bought French Submarines…The two countries are also combining their expertise in the area of maintenance…”
What MEA Said
Ahead of PM Modi’s visit, Brazil has expressed significant interest in India’s defence capabilities, especially the Akash Air Defence System and the Garuda Artillery Gun, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
During a special briefing ahead of PM’s visit, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (East) P Kumaran detailed Brazil’s keenness to explore joint research, technology sharing, and training exchanges with India. He said that the South American nation has also proposed joint ventures and co-development in the manufacturing defence industries.
Brazil is “interested in the Akash Air Defence System, Coastal Surveillance System, and the Garuda Artilley Gun,” Kumaran was quoted as saying.
“There will be a discussion on defence cooperation with Brazil. They are looking at avenues for joint research, technology sharing, and training exchanges… Broadly, we have a few areas that seem to be of interest to the Brazilian side. They are interested in secure communication systems on the battlefield. They are also interested in offshore patrol vessels. They also have Scorpène submarines and are interested in maintaining those submarines,” the MEA Secretary said at the press briefing, as quoted by ANI.
Akash Air Defence System
Akash system is an indigenously developed medium-range surface-to-air missile defence system that played a crucial role during the recent India-Pakistan conflict.
It was developed over a 15-year period by Dr. Prahlada Ramarao, a Padma Shri awardee who has made significant contributions to India’s defense capa bilities.78 years old today, he once held the distinction of being the youngest Project Director of the Akash programme, personally chosen by India’s “Missile Man” and former President, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.