The Brazilian Army by late 2015 is to conclude the initial step of its Combatente Brasileiro (COBRA) soldier modernisation project, aimed to equip troops with the latest soldier-borne technologies.
Around 100,000 troops are to be equipped with advanced gear through 2021, the army told IHS Jane’s on 7 October. However, this schedule could change in parallel with budget availability during the period.
A COBRA 1.0 sub-project was initiated in 2014 to buy items for around 160 troops. It was set up to identify and evaluate equipment measured by protection, lethality, survivability, situational awareness, communication, and observation and mobility capabilities. 
This will be followed by COBRA 2020, to be implemented in different phases beginning in early 2016 to develop local technologies through the army’s science and technology assets with co-operation from local research centres, companies, and universities.
The project is designed to create flexible, modular, adaptable, and simple solutions that provide Brazilian troops with increased interconnectivity, more interoperability, and better ergonomics when operating in mountainous, jungle, urban, wetland, and scrubland terrain in Brazil and abroad.
Established under army’s Strategic Project Attainment of the Full Operational Capability (PEE OCOP), COBRA is being executed by army’s High Staff and Department of Science and Technology.
Fuente: http://www.janes.com
