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Latin America

Latin American defense budgets, regional security, and border operations.

14 articles indexed · 12 in archive

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2 articles

Latin AmericaLand

Argentine troops get first Israeli ARAD rifles

Argentina's armed forces formally received their first Israeli-made IWI ARAD 5 and ARAD 7 rifles, beginning a program to replace FN FAL and M-16 rifles across the Army, Navy and Air Force. The ARAD 5 uses 5.56×45 mm NATO ammunition, while the ARAD 7 uses 7.62×51 mm, and both are supplied with MEPRO M5 red-dot sights. IWI is scheduled to train personnel from all three services in October, with a second batch expected in the first quarter of 2027. The Argentine Defense Ministry did not disclose the total quantity ordered.

Defence BlogSep 30

Latin AmericaNaval

US Marines Board and Sink Los Choneros Floating Refueling Station

US Marines and sailors operating from USS San Antonio boarded, searched, and cleared a floating refueling platform in the eastern Pacific that intelligence linked to Ecuador's Los Choneros criminal network. After the boarding concluded without reported resistance or casualties, US forces destroyed the vessel to remove infrastructure used to extend the range of trafficking craft. The action formed part of coordinated maritime interdiction activity with Ecuador, rather than a conventional naval battle or a seizure of a commissioned warship. Removing the logistics node raises the cost and risk of sustaining small vessels far from shore-based fuel supplies.

defensewarroom.comSep 29

Mexico acquires second Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules to expand military airlift and disaster response across Latin America

Mexico has acquired a second Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Super Hercules, doubling its planned fleet of the latest-generation transport. The first purchase, announced in January 2026, made Mexico the first Latin American operator of the C-130J. The stretched-fuselage aircraft will help recapitalize an aging Hercules inventory and expand capacity for military airlift, humanitarian assistance, disaster response and regional security missions. Neither the contract value nor the delivery schedule has been disclosed, but the follow-on order signals confidence in the platform and a broader effort to modernize national transport capabilities.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 23

Latin AmericaLand

Brazil’s 300-kilometre Tactical Cruise Missile passes key Army firing test, bringing ASTROS weapon closer to certification

The Brazilian Army and Avibras Aeroco completed a successful firing test of the MTC-300 Tactical Cruise Missile at the Marambaia Test Range in Rio de Janeiro on August 26. Avibras said the missile met all objectives established for this phase of the certification programme. The weapon forms part of the smart-munitions portfolio for the ASTROS Artillery System and is designed to engage targets at ranges of up to 300 kilometres. Army evaluation, project, manufacturing, engineering, and technology organisations supported the activity alongside Avibras personnel.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 12

Latin AmericaIndustry

US approves the sale of four UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters to Argentina for $140 million

Washington approved a possible $140 million Foreign Military Sale that would establish the Argentine Army's first UH-60L Black Hawk unit with four helicopters and two spare T700-GE-701D engines. The proposed package includes Garmin navigation equipment, avionics, auxiliary fuel tanks, rescue hoists, fast-rope systems, cargo hooks, firefighting buckets, training, tools, spares and logistical support, with Sikorsky as prime contractor. The unarmed configuration is intended for tactical transport, border security, search and rescue, firefighting and disaster relief, replacing or supplementing older rotary-wing capacity. Congressional notification permits the transaction to proceed, but aircraft delivery, final pricing and contract signature remain subject to negotiation.

Army RecognitionSep 11

Latin AmericaIndustry

US approves $140m Black Hawk helicopter sale to Argentina

The U.S. State Department approved a possible $140 million Foreign Military Sale to Argentina covering four UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters and two spare T700-GE-701D engines. The package also includes avionics, GPS navigation, auxiliary fuel systems, rescue hoists, cargo hooks, firefighting buckets, fast-rope equipment, spares, training and logistics support, but no offensive weapons. Argentina intends to establish its army's first Black Hawk unit for tactical transport, border security, rescue and disaster-response missions, with Sikorsky identified as prime contractor. The notification authorizes negotiations with Congress informed; it is not a signed contract, and the final value may be lower.

Army TechnologySep 11

Latin AmericaIndustry

Edge, Safran Eye Solid Rocket Motor Production In Brazil

UAE-based EDGE Group and Safran signed a memorandum of understanding to explore developing and producing solid rocket motors in Brazil through EDGE affiliate SIATT. The proposed cooperation would combine local industrial capacity with propulsion expertise for missile programs, potentially including weapons such as MANSUP-ER. Establishing domestic motor production could reduce supply constraints and strengthen Brazil’s sovereign missile-manufacturing base. The document is preliminary, however, and does not yet specify investment, production volume, customer commitments or a firm schedule, all of which remain subject to detailed agreements and approvals.

aviationweek.comSep 8

Latin AmericaLand

Brazil's cruise missile testing resumes after years of delay

Brazil resumed flight testing of the Avibras MTC-300 cruise missile with a successful event at the Marambaia proving ground on August 26. The campaign had been interrupted for about four years while the manufacturer faced financial difficulties, delaying certification of the weapon. MTC-300 is designed for launches from the ASTROS system and a range of up to roughly 300 kilometers. Renewed testing restores momentum to a nationally important precision-strike program, while planned Block II improvements to guidance and range remain future development objectives rather than fielded capabilities.

Defence BlogSep 8

Latin AmericaDrones

EDGE completes acquisition of Brazilian aerospace specialist AKAER to expand unmanned systems development and industrialisation

EDGE Group has completed its acquisition of Brazilian aerospace engineering company AKAER after fulfilling the closing conditions for the share purchase agreement announced in July 2026. Brazilian defence company SIATT will retain a minority stake, preserving AKAER's official status as a Strategic Defence Company. The transaction gives EDGE a São José dos Campos engineering base with capabilities spanning initial design, product development and industrialisation, supported by more than 10 million engineering hours across military and civil aerospace programmes. EDGE and AKAER already collaborate on unmanned-system development and industrialisation; the financial terms were not disclosed.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 6

Latin AmericaIndustry

Leonardo secures first Brazilian serial order for Centauro II as 98-vehicle armored program moves into production

The Iveco Defence Vehicles–OTO Melara consortium signed Brazil's first serial-production contract for seven Centauro II 8x8 armored vehicles armed with 120-millimeter guns. The order follows operational testing and acceptance work with two evaluation vehicles and forms the opening production tranche of Brazil's planned 98-vehicle VBC Cav MSR program. The Centauro II combines a 720-horsepower powerpack, H-drive layout, and HITFACT MkII turret; however, the announcement covers only the initial seven vehicles, with later annual tranches and delivery schedules still subject to separate contracting and program decisions.

Defence Industry EuropeSep 5

Latin AmericaLand

IDV to deliver 4x4 armoured vehicles to Brazil

Iveco Defence Vehicles plans to deliver Brazil's first locally produced LMV-BR light multirole vehicles in the second week of September 2026, followed by another 14 by year-end. The 4x4 vehicles are being assembled from complete-knock-down kits at the Sete Lagoas line inaugurated in March and are locally designated VBMT-LSR Guaicurus. Brazil ordered 420 vehicles in July 2024 for about BRL 1.4 billion, including support and multiple mission variants, with deliveries planned through 2033; the September handover therefore marks the start of serial deliveries rather than completion of the wider program.

JanesSep 4

Latin AmericaLand

Leonardo set to deliver seven Centauro II vehicles to Brazil

Brazil’s Army signed an approximately R$420 million contract on August 31 for seven serial-production Centauro II BR 8x8 armored vehicles, increasing the contracted fleet to nine when two prototypes are included. The 26-month award calls for delivery by October 31, 2028, with the first vehicles expected early that year. It also covers tooling, spares, training, and first- and second-echelon support for doctrinal experimentation. Brazil’s current planning objective is 98 vehicles for fourteen cavalry squadrons, while local assembly is intended to reach about 70% from the fifth production batch.

Army TechnologySep 4

Latin AmericaIndustry

Colombia buys two KC 390 aircraft for USD366.4 million

Colombia has purchased two Embraer KC-390 Millennium transport and tanker aircraft for USD366.4 million. The aircraft can conduct strategic and tactical airlift, aerial refuelling and humanitarian missions. The acquisition modernizes Colombian military air mobility capacity. It expands the KC-390 operator base in Latin America.

JanesAug 6

Latin AmericaNaval

TKMS launches Cunha Moreira, third Tamandaré frigate for Brazilian Navy

TKMS launched 'Cunha Moreira', the third Tamandaré-class frigate, at Itajaí for the Brazilian Navy. The MEKO A-100-based ship advances the Brazil-Germany naval cooperation programme. Four frigates total are planned. The class will form the backbone of Brazil's surface fleet modernization.

Defence Industry EuropeJun 29

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