Argentina to buy 156 Guarani armored vehicles from Brazil

Americas, News February 2, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

Argentina announced that it would be buying 156 Guarani armored vehicles from Brazil. The estimated value of the deal is no less than $180 million.

The two countries signed a letter of intent in December 2022 and confirmed the deal during the South American Leaders’ Summit last week.

The agreement was officially signed between the Argentine Defense Minister Jorge Taiana and Brazil’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mauro Vieira in Buenos Aires. The signing took place during an official visit to Argentina’s capital by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The recently elected president was attending a summit of South American heads of state.

The six-wheel drive vehicles will fulfill a long-standing requirement to equip the combat component of a mechanized infantry brigade. The vehicles will be primarily used by the binational Southern Cross Force, also known as Fuerza Cruz del Sur. The Argentine-Chilean military formation was created in 2005 and is made available for peacekeeping deployments under the mandate of the United Nations.

The Guarani is based on a design by Italy’s Iveco Defence Vehicles. The vehicles were modified to meet the requirements of the Brazilian Army and to deal with the Southern American terrains. the basic troop carrier variant of Guarani can carry up to 11 personnel, eight soldiers with a crew of three.

According to the letter of intent, 120 vehicles would be equipped with 12.7mm SARC REMAX 4 turrets while 27 vehicles would be equipped with 30mm SARC UT30BR2 turrets made by Israel’s Elbit Systems. Nine vehicles would be equipped with a command-and-control system as they would act as the command post carrier vehicles.

*^{Brazilian Army’s VBTP-MR Guarani armored vehicles. (Image Credit: Exército Brasileiro)}*

Currently, the Guarani vehicles are only being used by the Brazilian military. Armor of the Guarani provides protection against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. The vehicle can be fitted with add-on composite armor for improved protection. This armored personnel carrier has a V-shaped hull, which provides protection against landmines. The Interior is fitted with a spall liner.

The vehicle is powered by a 383 horsepower Iveco Cursor 9 turbocharged diesel engine, produced in Brazil by Fiat. The engine is mated with an automatic transmission. The vehicle has a hydropneumatic suspension system and it is fully amphibious.

Brazilian Army also issued operational requirements for several derivatives of the Guarani. This new family of vehicles will include a command vehicle, technical assistance vehicle, armored ambulance, 120 mm mortar carrier, fire direction vehicle, and 8×8 version for Brazilian Marines.