India and Brazil Deepen Military Cooperation with Arms Deal Talks
The Pokhran Firing Ranges Host Thunderous Display of Firepower
On August 30, 2023, Brazilian Army General Tomas Miguel Mine Ribeiro Paiva witnessed a thunderous demonstration of the firepower of indigenous Indian weapon platforms at Rajasthan’s Pokhran Field Firing Ranges in India. This demonstration was part of a larger six-day visit to discuss deepening military cooperation between India and Brazil. Despite being literally oceans apart India and Brazil have cooperated in the past in military arms deals. However, this time has the potential of being the largest arms deal yet. The recent increase in cooperation between Brazil and India in the area of arms deals is significant because it reflects Brazil's efforts to diversify its arms sources, demonstrate increased cooperation amongst BRICS countries, and showcase India’s own military industry as an alternative to the West and Russia.
During General Pavia’s visit to India, Brazil expressed interest in acquiring heavy equipment to modernize its aging armed forces. The area of focus for Brazil was air defense systems, main battle tanks (MBTs), and artillery pieces. Below are the three weapons systems India demonstrated to Brazil along with their specifications:
(Photo Credit: Indian Ministry Of Defence)
(Photo Credit: Indian Ministry Of Defence)
(Photo Credit: Indian Ministry Of Defence)
Analysis: The recently concluded visit by Brazilian Army Commander General Paiva to India indicates Brazil wants to increase and possibly expand its defense relationship with India. Brazil likely wants to expand its relationship with a focus on cooperation in the development and production of advanced weapon systems from non-Western countries. Paiva’s visit to the Pokaran Field Firing Range to view demonstrations of indigenously developed weapon systems illustrates this because Brazil has open contracts to procure similar systems. For example, Brazil has a contract to select a new MBT that would replace their fleet of Leopard 1s MBTs, of which China’s VT-4 MBT is a contender. India likely demonstrated the Arjun MBT in the hopes that Brazil would also include the tank as part of the process. The demonstration also allowed India to show Brazil its indigenously developed weapon systems that required little if any assistance from Western countries. Brazil is especially interested in developing and expanding its own defense industry regarding the production of MBTs, SAM systems, and other systems. Brazil also has the requirement to procure or develop a highly mobile MGS capable of being airlifted anywhere in the country using Brazilian Air Force transport aircraft.
While Brazil could award India a contract for one or more of the systems – likely either the Akash SAM system or the Dhanush MGS – the country could have difficulties in fulfilling the contract for several reasons. The most significant reason is due to the amount of bureaucratic red tape that companies must drudge through for any deal to become a reality. This is especially true when dealing with state-owned companies such as Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited or Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited. The best example was how the Arjun MBT took around 32 years of design and development before it became operational. However, neither the Mk1 nor to a lesser extent, the Mk1A perform to the Indian Army’s expectations or requirements so DRDO developed the Mk2 to fix all the issues. The Indian Army stated they will not buy the tank until they are certain it will meet all their performance requirements. However, the Dhanush MGS’s development does illustrate that Indian companies can successfully create a weapon system that meets all the requirements within an acceptable timeframe.
(Photo Credit: NORINCO)
Brazil is looking to purchase new military equipment because Brazil's military equipment is aging and in need of modernization. A majority of Brazil’s heavy equipment such as MBTs are outdated and longer meet the standards of the modern battlefield. Just like the rest of the world the Brazilian military is studying and analyzing the conflict in the Russo-Ukranian war. Weapon systems like artillery and air defense systems play a critical role in the conflict and the Brazilian military wants to ensure that they do not lag behind other peer or near-peer countries. While the Brazillian military gets a majority of its military equipment from the West, they do not get access to the most modern equipment. Brazil is hoping to rectify this by diversifying its sources of military equipment to gain greater access to modern equipment. It is for this reason Brazil has begun to seek alternatives to the West such as India and China. Just over the course of the last year, the Brazilian military conducted trials on the Chinese VT-4 MBT. While the Brazilian military has not made a decision yet for who will fulfill its contract to purchase new MBTs, the fact that Brazil expressed interest in the Chinese MBT carries geopolitical significance.
Brazil seeking closer military collaboration with countries such as China and India not only carries practical material benefits but also geopolitical benefits. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil is demonstrating the benefits of BRICS membership by increasing cooperation with other BRICS countries in the area of arms deals. This cooperation demonstrates to countries outside of the West that they have other legitimate options besides the West. Additionally, this demonstrates to the West that Brazil is not dependent on its arms industries. This is part of President Lula’s ambitions to promote cooperation between countries of the global south. The West will continue to supply arms to Brazil without a doubt but President Lula is demonstrating that the West no longer has a monopoly on the most advanced weapon systems in the world. Brazil’s weapons modernization program exemplifies Brazil’s desire to assert itself as a formidable regional power that can defend its own sovereignty and stand on its own in the geopolitical arena.
(Photo Credit: MEA)
The benefits for India are also apparent. India has a rapidly growing and evolving military industry. Selling military equipment to Brazil can generate revenue for India's defense industry, which can help sustain the programs; and further Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative; while lending legitimacy to India’s defense industry. India is attempting to demonstrate to the world it is just as technologically advanced and competent as its Western counterparts. Brazil is a major emerging market with a growing defense industry, by selling indigenous designs to Brazil, India can share its technology and expertise with a fellow BRICS partner that is likely to become a major player in the global arms market. Brazil and India could collaborate closely to help improve India’s domestic designs. Additionally, selling military equipment to Brazil could help to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries. This can be important for cooperation on other issues, such as counter-terrorism and climate change. Selling military equipment to Brazil could also help to counter the influence of other countries in the region, mainly China. This can be important for maintaining India's strategic interests both in South America and at home on the disputed border with China.
Note: A huge thank you to @sino_talk for contributing to the weapon systems specifications and analysis sections please check out his substack and instagram to read more!
References:
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