Key information
Brazil is one of the largest countries in the world in terms of territory and population and has a relatively strong economy, including a developed military-industrial complex, whose products are purchased by many developing countries and even Western countries, including the US. It is believed that Brazil will be able to claim great power status in the foreseeable future, and not just on a regional scale.
The Brazilian army, however, remains a typical Latin American army – very large in size but extremely archaic in structure and weaponry. With a powerful military-industrial complex of its own, the country continues to import military equipment, very often very obsolete and already almost exhausted by the military of the selling country. It is difficult to explain the meaning of such a policy, but it has been going on for many years.
The Army Field Forces is divided into eight combatant commands, each comprising one to three military districts.
The tank fleet includes more than 300 extremely obsolete vehicles. There are more than 1,200 armored cavalry assault vehicle and Armoured Personnel Carrier (APCs).
Artillery includes up to 800 guns, mortars and Multiple-Launch Rocket System (MLRS).
Army air defense includes up to 400 Man-Portable Air Defense System (MANPADs) and anti-aircraft guns.
Army aviation includes up to 100 helicopters.
The Brazilian Air Force has up to 100 combat aircraft, up to 200 special and transport aircraft, around 250 training aircraft and more than 100 helicopters.
The Brazilian Navy is the most powerful and relatively modern branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces (at least compared to the Army and Air Force). The submarine fleet includes five submarines. There are 15 frigates and corvettes, 3 patrol vessels, up to 20 patrol boats.
Since Brazil accounts for almost the entire basin of the world’s largest Amazon River, the country’s navy has a river flotilla. It includes about 20 ships and boats.
The Navy has six minesweepers and five landing craft.
Naval aviation includes about 10 aircraft and up to 80 helicopters.
The Marine Corps includes an amphibious division.
There are about 20 light tanks, about 100 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APCs), up to 150 artillery systems, about 50 Man-Portable Air Defense System (MANPADS) and anti-aircraft guns.
There are no foreign troops on Brazilian territory.
The country’s Armed Forces are very large in Latin American terms, but negligible in Eurasian and North American terms. It is not at all clear whether the country’s leadership is going to change its strange policy of «conserving backwardness» or is satisfied with the current situation.
Military ranks of the Brazilian Army
Technician 2nd Class:
Technician 1st Class:
Chief tradesman:
Caporal:
Sergeant III degree:
Sergeant II degree (Staff Sergeant):
Sergeant I degree (Master sergeant):
Warrant officer:
Aspirant officer:
Lieutenant:
Senior lieutenant:
Commander:
Major:
Lieutenant-colonel:
Colonel:
Major General:
Lieutenant General:
General:
Marshall:
