Brazilian Army Set to Procure RBS 70 Systems

The Brazilian Army, via its commission in Washington, is to soon finalise a contract with SAAB Dynamics of Sweden worth about BRL28 million to buy RBS 70 mobile very-short range air defence systems.

The deal comprises 16 RBS 70 man-portable launchers, an undisclosed number of Mk II type missiles, six simulators, night vision equipment, a test set, maintenance tools, spares, associated equipment, and training for the weapon's operators and maintainers, an army spokesperson told IHS Jane's on 27 December.

The systems are scheduled to be delivered to Brazil in two separate batches, the first up to four months after the contract is signed and a second up to 12 months after signing. The equipment is to arm Anti-Aircraft Artillery Groups and the Coastal and Anti-Aircraft Artillery School (EsACosAAe).

They are intended to protect the country's strategic infrastructure, and would be employed in protection of major incoming events including the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The system consists of a tripod mounted launcher outfitted with the ready-to-fire ammunition as well as an associated sighting module and firing unit.

As for anti-aircraft systems, the Brazilian Army currently operates KBM Igla-S very-short range portable missiles, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Gepard 1A2 self-propelled 35 mm twin gun systems, and 40 mm Bofors L/70 and 35 mm Oerlikon GDF-001 towed gun systems that are expected to be modernised.

A single battery of the KBP Instrument Design Bureau Pantsir-S1 self-propelled gun-missile air defence system is scheduled to be inducted soon, as is an additional battery of the Igla-S surface-to-air missile system. [via]