A Brazilian delegation is set to visit India this month to discuss the BrahMos supersonic cruise projectiles and the Akash Missile systems, as global conflicts highlight the increasing significance of advanced air defence systems, according to sources quoted by the Financial Express.
Brazil’s interest in these systems suggests they align with its military needs and can be seamlessly integrated into its existing infrastructure and strategy, retired Captain Sarabjeet S Parmar, Distinguished Fellow at the United Service Institute told Sputnik India, noting that both systems fit well within Brazil's requirements and budget.
On the other hand, the Akash missile is rapidly deployable and potent, offering significant advantages for modern air defence with its advanced features and decent range, retired Air Marshal G S Bedi, Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS), pointed out.
Brazil is interested in the exceptional qualities of the Indian-Russian BrahMos, which stands out among supersonic cruise missiles due to its high speeds, low operational altitudes and a range exceeding 300 kilometres, Bedi said.
Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force is considering acquiring Embraer’s C-390 aircraft, suggested by the Brazilian manufacturer to fulfill its Medium Transport Aircraft requirements with its versatile capabilities for military transport and aerial refueling. The aircraft was first presented as a static display at Aero India 2023.
Bedi highlighted that the Embraer aircraft, known for its agility and rapid deployment capability, offers substantial capabilities and could provide India with a distinct advantage over older transport aircraft such as the Soviet Antonov An-32 and British Hawker Siddeley HS 748 turboprops, especially as the Airbus C295 replaces them.
Joint C-390 Production: India, Brazil Advance South-South Defence Ties
As a multi-mission aircraft, C-390 suitability will hinge on how well it aligns with the Indian Air Force's requirements and budget. The established collaboration between India and Embraer, notably on the NETRA aircraft with DRDO, may also impact the decision, the military pundit argued.
Parmar highlighted that the Indian Air Force already operates an electronic warfare (EW) aircraft from Embraer, and recent discussions suggest that Indian corporation the Mahindra Group is exploring a partnership with Embraer for the C390.
Brazil aims to establish a partnership with India that includes co-production and potential co-export of the aircraft to interested countries, aligning with India-Brazil defence relations, South-South cooperation, and the enhancement of India's indigenous security capabilities and self-reliance, Parmar said.
The captain indicated that both countries support reforms to the United Nations Security Council and seek permanent seats if the council's structure is expanded, with their joint emphasis on South-South cooperation aiming to enhance their global influence.
The two states' collaboration through frameworks like the IBSA Dialogue Forum and BRICS also highlights their strong cooperative ties, including in defence production, he noted, contending that this partnership could facilitate the creation of high-quality, cost-effective military equipment suitable for nations with smaller military budgets.
Likewise, a major focus of India-Brazil defence cooperation is the maintenance of Scorpene submarines, with India aiming to indigenise those capabilities to enhance self-reliance and reduce reliance on foreign technology.
The joint operation of Scorpene submarines also suggests potential for developing a hub for sharing technology and offering affordable defence solutions to other countries, he concluded.