Brazilian Armed Forces are evaluating India's Akash missile system for acquisition, reports in the media have suggested.
According to the country's military publication Zona-Militar, the Brazilian Army has approved a plan to procure medium and high altitude air defence artillery systems, which is being done under the country's fighting force's Strategic Programs.
The potential deal for Akash missiles comes in the backdrop of incumbent Brazilian Army Commander General Tomas Miguel Paiva raising concerns about the lack of such air defense systems in the state in April this year.
In his initial assessment, Paiva highlighted that while Brazil was well equipped to tackle aerial threats up to an elevation of 3,000 meters, it lacked technology to protect its territory beyond that altitude.
Subsequently, he proposed to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to sign an intergovernmental agreement for the supply of India's Akash anti-aircraft missiles.
In case Brazil puts pen to paper on a deal with India, it would become the first foreign country to acquire the medium-range missile from the country.
Among the many features of the Akash anti-aircraft missile system, its biggest USP is its ability to destroy a minimum of four targets simultaneously, which was demonstrated during a military exercise in December 2023.