La empresa israelí ELBIT Systems ha sido contratada por el Ejército del Brasil para proveer sus RCWS (Remoted Controlled Weapon Station) que equiparán al nuevo Vehículo Blindado de transporte de tropas, motorizado a ruedas (VBTP-MR Guarani). El VBTP Guaraní es un blindado a ruedas de 18 Tn, con capacidad anfibia, para 10 hombres y dimensiones que le permiten ser aerotransportado en aviones C130 o KC 390. El vehículo puede ser equipado con variedad de sistemas de armas, desde cañones de 30mm hasta ametralladoras livianas o pesadas y armas antitanque. Todas las plataformas autónomas provistas por ELBITt están equipadas con cámaras de visión nocturna y térmica de alta resolución, que proporcionan imagen panorámica para los operadores. Lo anterior está enmarcado en el Proyecto de “Movilidad estratégica” que el Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología del Ejército del Brasil lleva adelante con IVECO (Italia) como desarrollador y proveedor de la plataforma. El acuerdo prevé que proceso de producción se realice en la planta de IVECO “sete lagoas” (Brasil).
In December 2009, Brazil signed a EUR 2.5 billion deal with Italy’s Iveco that aims to renew its wheeled armored personnel carrier fleet, and revive Brazil’s land vehicle defense industry in the bargain. The 6×6 Guarani Viatura Blindada Transporte de Pessoal, Media de Rodas (VBTP-MR) is envisaged as a vehicle family that can replace Engesa’s wheeled vehicles. Their EE-9 and EE-11 have suffered from age-related problems, questionable protection levels, and a shortage of ready spares since Engesa’s 1993 bankruptcy.
Iveco is best known around the world for its trucks, but its Iveco Fiat Oto Melara joint venture has designed and fielded the core of Italy’s tank, wheeled APC, and tracked IFV fleets. The firm already has the new Puma wheeled 6×6/ 4×4 APC 
in its offering set, but the VBTP will offer them a new market, a new joint venture, and new export opportunities.
VBTP: The Need
Brazil’s armored vehicle fleet is currently dominated by a set of Engesa’s vehicles. The EE-11 Urutu wheeled 6×6 APC was popular with a number of foreign clients, as well as Brazil’s own forces. It is named after a local pit viper, per Brazilian tradition (bothrops alternatus, also known as Jararaca and Yarara). The EE-9 Cascavel 6×6 armored vehicle is easily recognizable by its 90mm gun, and was produced for Brazil and for numerous foreign clients. That warning silhouette is replicated in its choice of name, which refers to the South American Rattlesnake (crotalus durissus).
By the early 1990s, however, Engesa’s main client was Iraq under Saddam Hussein. The 1991 Gulf War, and subsequent international embargoes on weapon sales to Iraq, destroyed the firm. With its main client gone, no orders of consequence forthcoming in its home market, and its innovative Osorio medium tank elbowed aside by Saudi Arabia in favor of the American M1, Engesa went bankrupt in 1993. When it did, Brazil’s impressive local defense industry lost the heart of its advanced vehicle capabilities.
It also lost the main source of parts and maintenance for Brazil’s armored vehicle fleet. Brazil continues to operate its vehicles, and despite the EE-11’s weakness against some armor-piercing small arms rounds, it has been used in missions like the UN operation to stabilize Haiti. Even so, it was clear to the Brazilians that a replacement was needed. The combination of a rising resource economy and local threats have also driven 2 key trends in Brazil. One is a very significant increase in Brazil’s defense budgets, which have led to recapitalization programs for fighter jets, helicopters, air transports, and submarines. The other is a determination to restore Brazil’s decayed local defense industry, now that the Cold War’s inherent geo-political advantages for NATO and Warsaw Pact affiliated defense firms have vanished.
