Brazilian Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

Rosneft Clinches Exploration Deal in Amazon Basin

Russia's largest energy producer has signed a deal with the Brazilian company PetroRio to operate the exploration of sites in the Amazon's Solimoes Basin.

Rosneft, the world's largest publicly-traded petroleum company, has raised its stake in an oil and gas prospecting venture in the to 100 percent, giving it complete control over two onshore gas and oil leases in the Solimoes Basin of .

The Russian company increased its stake after agreeing to a deal with Brazilian oil producer PetroRio, also known as HRT Participacoes em Petroleo SA.

Rosneft acquired its 45 percent stake in the Solimoes project after its takeover of the oil company TNK-BP in 2011, which made it the world's largest oil producer.

In November 2013, Rosneft Brazil and PetroRio made an agreement for Rosneft to obtain an additional six percent in the Solimoes project, raising its stake to 51 percent and giving it the status of operator of the project.

The deal was finally approved by Brazil's National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels in July of last year. According to the July announcement from Rosneft, the transaction amounted to $96 million, with Rosneft also acquiring four heli-transportable rigs from the Brazilian company. In addition, Rosneft provided PetroRio with a loan facility of up to $40 million to finance HRT investments inSolimoes for a period of 12 months.

"The Solimoes project establishes Rosneft in Brazil, a country with major upstream growth opportunities and synergies with Rosneft operations in Venezuela," Rosneft stated.

According to media reports, the latest deal between the two companies is due to be announced on Monday and is valued at $55 million.

Rosneft reports that the resources of the Solimoes project consist of 34 million tons of oil and 73 billion cubic meters of gas, according to the project's prospecting works, which have been carried out over an area of 44.5 thousand square kilometers in the basin to date. The company says that 75 percent of the basin's area remains untapped, with the potential for extracting 100 million tons of oil equivalent exist, while gas reserves of 28-37 billion cubic meters have been confirmed.

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Putin: Brazil is one of Russia's key partners in Latin America

QUESTION: How do you assess the status and prospects of the strategic partnership between Russia and Brazil? What key issues and specific proposals are you planning to discuss in Brasilia?
Russian president to visit Cuba, Argentina, Brazil during Latin America tour

VLADIMIR PUTIN: Our bilateral cooperation is of strategic importance, as Brazil is a responsible member of the international community whose political influence is steadily increasing; it is also the largest country in Latin America and one of the leading economies in the world. It is enough to mention its active participation in BRICS, the G20 and a number of Latin American regional organisations (CELAC, MERCOSUR, UNASUR).

We support Brazil as a deserving and strong candidate for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. I am sure that this powerful and fast-developing country is destined to play an important role in the emerging polycentric world order.

I want to emphasise that Brazil is one of Russia's key partners in Latin America. We have long-standing relations of friendship, mutual respect and trust. We are actively developing political dialogue, defence, scientific, technological and humanitarian cooperation, as well as economic and investment ties.

Over the last ten years, bilateral trade has grown almost three-fold and reached $5.5 billion in 2013. Our companies maintain close contacts through the Brazil-Russia Business Council. The citizens of our countries no longer need visas to travel. Dozens of Russia's best universities that joined Brazilian educational programme Science without Borders are ready to welcome students from Brazil. Cultural exchanges have become a regular practice.

During the visit, we want to discuss areas for further developing cooperation and to outline new joint projects in energy, investment, innovation, agriculture, science and technology. We plan to sign a large package of documents relating to a variety of industries, including between specialised agencies, public and private companies, and research and educational institutions.

QUESTION: The current level of economic and trade relations between Russia and Brazil is far below the potential that has been proclaimed by the countries' leaders. What steps do you consider necessary to accelerate the realisation of this potential? What are the obstacles that slow us down and prevent us from taking bilateral trade to a completely new level?

VLADIMIR PUTIN: Indeed, despite the good results achieved, there is still an untapped potential in trade and economic cooperation with Brazil. Moreover, there was a decrease in bilateral trade (3.3% in 2013), caused by global economic instability. In order to address the situation we need to diversify our trade ties by increasing the share of high-tech products and engineering goods, as well as by developing cooperation in aviation, energy and agriculture.

Russian companies are interested in the Brazilian market. Our countries' businesses have launched a number of successful investment projects in energy, engineering and pharmaceutical industries. For example, Russia’s Rosneft and the Brazilian HRT oil and gas company are jointly exploring and producing hydrocarbons in the Solimões river basin. In the state of Santa Catarina, the corporation is setting up production of hydro turbines of up to 100 MW for their subsequent delivery to the markets of Brazil and other MERCOSUR countries. BIOCAD is developing a research, education and training centre in Brazil, designed to produce modern innovative medicines for the treatment of cancer.

I am sure that such projects will help bring our bilateral trade and economic cooperation to a more mature level, which meets the current and future capabilities of our developing countries.

QUESTION: Brazil will pass the baton of hosting a world football championship to Russia. Are you following the FIFA World Cup? Which part of Brazil's experience in preparing and hosting the event has attracted your attention and can be taken on board while organising the ?

VLADIMIR PUTIN: I try to follow the World Cup as far as my work schedule allows. The Latin American countries’ teams have put on a display of football that has real flare and talent. Unfortunately, our team did not leave the group, but, in my opinion, they tried their best.

At the invitation of Brazil and FIFA Presidents, I am going to visit the final match of the Championship to attend the ceremony of passing the baton from Brazil to Russia. In 2018, Russia will host this most popular global sporting event for the first time in its history.

In February-March, we successfully hosted the Winter Olympic and in Sochi and know exactly what a challenge it is to organise such a huge event. We are analysing Brazil’s experience very carefully. Your country is yet to host the Olympic Games in 2016. Representatives of several ministries and organisations, including the Ministry of Sports and the Russia-2018 Organising Committee, are in constant contact with Brazilian colleagues. They have already visited Brazil and I am sure they will go there again more than once.

It is worth noting that Russia plans to take the FIFA World Cup a step further in some areas. For example, we passed a federal law establishing a special visa regime for foreigners who help organise the 2018 Championship, and enabling not only the official participants, such as the athletes, referees, coaches and others, but also the fans to visit Russia without visas right before and during the competition. The history of football championships has never seen anything like this before.

I am sure that the World Cup in Brazil will be a in the history of football. I wish the Brazilian organisers every success in completing it. As for us, in 2018, we will do everything possible to give the world an unforgettable football celebration and show genuine Russian hospitality.

QUESTION: How much attention will be paid during the talks in Latin America to the issues of the , which enables some players on the international arena to unilaterally claim significantly more extensive rights, including to spy even on those leaders that they call partners and to hack their phones?

VLADIMIR PUTIN: The 21st century world is globalised and interdependent. Therefore, no state or group of countries can unilaterally tackle major international problems and any attempts to build a separate “oasis of stability and security” are doomed to failure.

In order to meet numerous challenges and threats we have to stop trying to impose development models on other countries. This approach has repeatedly proven its ineffectiveness. It does not just fail to facilitate conflict resolution, but leads to instability and chaos in international affairs.

Today, it is especially important to consolidate the international community’s efforts to ensure equal and indivisible security, as well as to resolve disputes trough the application of international law and with the central coordinating role of the UN.

As for the facts of cyber espionage that you mentioned, it not only amounts to overt hypocrisy in relationships between allies and partners, but also a direct violation of the state's sovereignty, an infringement on human rights and an invasion of privacy. We are looking forward to jointly developing an international information security system.


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Brazilian military visit European space centers in its analysis of the control model geostationary Defense and Strategic Communications


(Defensa.com) Eleven members of the Main Space Operations Centre (Nucope-P), based in Brasilia, visited France and Italy satellite control centers. The aim is to study the experience of other countries to establish national control model geostationary Defense and Strategic Communications (SGDC) to be launched in 2016. "We met with the realities monitoring stations close to our needs," says the commander Core, Colonel Hélcio Vieira Junior.

The SGDC attend the National Broadband Plan, managed by Telebras, and strategic communications of the Ministry of Defense. In France, the group was in the Joint Space Command, which manages the French space systems, including optical satellites, one of Brazil's options under the Strategic Program Space Systems (Even) coordinated by the Command counted Air Force. The military also toured the Military Space Observation Center, responsible for satellite Earth observation, and the International Council of Defense, the organization responsible for training for the French Defense Ministry.

In Italy, the itinerary included space centers and the agency responsible for projects in the area. The (Centro Spaziale "Piero Fanti" del Fucino) Fucino Space Centre is the largest center multimission space operations worldwide. "We could see the operation multimission operation still possible to resolve several questions about the possible use of human resources," says the colonel. Centers of operations of the Galileo constellation (similar to the US European GPS system), FTA / TV (geostationary satellites for broadcasting cable / satellite) and scientific satellites in low orbit were also visited.

The group was also went to the Space Center Giuseppe Colombo Italian Space Agency responsible for the operation of strategic communications satellites Italian Communications System and Alarm Reserved. According to the commander of Nucope-P, this is the closest to the initial operation of the monitoring center SGDC. "We saw the number of troops used in each function also saw how to develop the knowledge of conditions in the area (SSA - Space Situation Awareness). Using information provided by the USAF and owned a telescope," he added.

Brazilians also met Italian Special Projects, organizing strategic and spatial studies projects prestanservicios the Italian Ministry of Defense. "We had several possibilities of partnerships in the space area," says the chief. In addition to European centers, the group has assessed the working methods of the space control centers in the United States, Canada and Chile.

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Harp delivered 13 mobile field kitchens to the Armed Forces of Brazil and Lebanon


(Defensa.com) Harp Mobile Equipment Campaign has delivered 13 field kitchens Harp 2000 model on trailer to the Armed Forces of Brazil, which has received 10, and Lebanon, the remaining 3. The units distributed in Brazil are part of a framework trade agreement expected to gradually increase that amount. With this last batch delivered, the company has sold since 2013 a total of 290 mobile field kitchens distributed in Europe and especially Africa and America. As pointed out by the CEO of the company, Clara Harp, "based on the agreements and progress with certain contracts will allow us to close the year above the 300 units sold and overcome in 2016 the average for the last three years".

The teams can jointly prepare delivered more than 5,000 rations given their ability and depending on its configuration. A good example of its capabilities is the fact deserve the trust of more than 25 armies in the world for over forty years. On this point, Clara Harp said that "this latest installment is a very good example of how Arpa provides solutions tailored to the needs of each client. Given its geographical location, climate, their missions and their conditioning the Brazilian Armed Forces and Lebanon face different challenges, but use a similar kitchen and that's one of our main strengths. "

2000 ARPA kitchen has a drawbar with towing eye that makes NATO towable by all types of vehicles. It comes equipped with three flex-burners and a centralized repository of 40 liters. It is lightweight, durable, high maneuverability and low consumption. The standard kitchen with the kitchen is complete comprises a pressure cooker of 100 liters, a normal pot of the same capacity, a fryer 50 liters and a rectangular plate. Also it comes with two stainless steel tables that make arquillo transport and a protective tent of 26 square meters that give it a wide working area.

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Brazil enacted the Protocol on cooperation in defense between Portuguese-speaking countries

(Defensa.com) Member States of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) have signed a cooperation protocol in the field of defense, promulgated in Brazil by Decree 8488 of 10 July 2015. It aims to promote and facilitate cooperation among the CPLP member countries through the systematization of activities, including the creation of a common platform of knowledge in military defense, a policy of promoting joint partnership for development sector and to strengthen internal capabilities the armed forces of the member countries.

It also ensures the continuation of the annual joint exercises called Operation Feline and led to the formation of the military personnel to operate in missions of peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance. Furthermore, the text addresses the demand for synergies to strengthen the supervision and control of territorial waters and the exclusive economic zone of the countries of the Community. The Feline exercise, inserted in the series of joint and combined military exercises carried out in military-technical cooperation with CPLP, aims to secure and maintain the interoperability of the armed forces of Member States in the framework of the "Platform for Reduction Disaster Risk and CPLP

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Brazilian naval authorities in Texas reviewed the progress of future KC-2 Turbo Trader


(Defensa.com) The Directorate of Aeronautics Navy conducted a visit from 29 June to 1 July at M7 Aerospace facility in San Antonio, Texas. The company is a subsidiary of Elbit Systems of America (ESA), which houses the Inspection Panel and Reception Aircraft Carrier Onboard Delivery / Air-to-Air Refueling (COD / AAR). The CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of the ESA, Raanan Horowitz, presented the activities of the company in the US, the current phase of COD / AAR and the next steps of the modernization of the C-1A aircraft program.

The delegation and representatives of companies Marsh Aviation, AEL Systems and ESA visited the hangar where aircraft are, being able to verify "in situ" stage of the project and learn more about the prototype of the aircraft cabin. The future KC-2 Turbo Trader will allow a significant increase in the profiles and operational performances of the model in the development of missions and loaded on aircraft carriers in the activities of logistics, transport and maritime surveillance, especially in the work of search and rescue Brazilian Navy. The turbo-propeller TPE331-14GR-801Z engine and auxiliary power unit (APU) RE100CS Honeywell Aerospace, were selected by M7 Aerospace to repower the aircraft, which will also be equipped with oxygen generator OBOGS system.

The KC-2 Turbo Trader
In November 2014, the firm announced in Rio de Janeiro the contract for modernization and repowering of the C-1A aircraft for the Brazilian Navy. An addendum to the original contract included the recommendations issued by the US State Department and the approval of the Technical Assistance Agreement, an Agreement of Technical Cooperation for Development of the COD / AAR version of C-1A Trader for the Brazilian Navy called KC-2. This new agreement includes the participation of Elbit Systems subsidiary in part to modernize avionics systems through outsourcing Marsh Aviation.

It is planned that the first prototype will be ready in November 2017 and that can make delivery of the first aircraft in December 2018. The new version called KC-2 Turbo Trader is a modernization of the veteran aircraft C-1A Trader acquired by Brazil to perform logistical support missions for the aircraft carrier embarked Sao Paulo, can also perform aerial refueling missions of AF-1 / 1A Skyhawk.

The program began in 1998 and in August 2010 the Brazilian Navy acquired eight C-1A Trader to perform missions COD (Carrier Onboard Delivery) and AAR (Air-to-Air Refueling) on the aircraft carrier São Paulo. The plan includes engining and reconfiguration of four aircraft, replacing the old piston engine turboprop engine Honeywell TPE-331 turbo addition to replacing hydraulic systems, electrical and navigation. Finally, the participation of Marsh Aviation includes crew training and technical ground staff in addition to certain industrial considerations to the Brazilian Navy and the domestic industry have not yet transpired.





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NOE first exercise, a very low altitude tactical flight of the Mi-35 Brazilian


(Defensa.com) Squadron Poti (2nd / 8th GAV) which operates attack helicopters of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) AH-2 Sabre, resumed last July 9 NOE flight training in English acronym Nap of the Earth. The exercise, which took place from 1996, when the unit was still operating the AS-350 Aeschylus helicopters, was interrupted in 2010 during the process of incorporation of the Mi-35 / AH-2 Sabre in the Brazilian Air Force and now retaken . The aim is to ensure the principle of surprise and decrease the chance of detection by enemy radar and even any visual location. This stealth increases the likelihood of success in a mission over hostile territory.

In 2015 the Squadron Poti completed its total fleet of twelve helicopters MI / 35 AH-2 Sabre. Before the break, a flight training was completed in eight aircraft and returned to training in aerial combat. These helicopters operate from the Air Base of Porto Velho (Rondonia) in the Amazon region.



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Brazilian protesters are calling for something downright scary

Hundreds of thousands of Brazilians took to the streets this weekend, calling for the impeachment of recently re-elected President Dilma Rousseff.

The nationwide protests were peaceful, but for observers with knowledge of Brazil's political past, there was a sinister element to them that cannot be ignored.

In sign after sign, middle-class protesters called for the military to wrest control of the country from Rousseff's Brazilian Workers' Party (PT).

Marlon Aymes, a protester seen holding a sign that read "Army, Navy and Air Force. Please save us once again of [sic] communism," told

"They [The PT] are in power for 16 years. That is like a dictatorship ... In 1964 the military of Brazil took a stand against a president who was close to the Kremlin. Today, the PT is in a group that wants a Bolivarian socialist model across Latin America. Common people are protesting and calling for impeachment, but congress is too corrupt to approve that so we need military intervention."

The corruption Aymes was talking about has been center stage in Brazilian politics for about the past year. It all surrounds Petrobras, the Brazilian quasi-state oil company. Once a powerhouse, it has been ransacked by the government. The ruling party has used it to pay kickbacks, to finance the government — you name it. The CEO is gone, the politicians from Rousseff's party investigation.

Rousseff, however, has remained immune. That has infuriated Brazilians and put her

It isn't difficult to see why Brazilians are calling foul, but to call for military rule, however, is a chilling reminder of what has often been a ready alternative in Latin America. Brazil was controlled by a violent military junta from 1964 to 1985. It was that junta that tortured the sitting president when she was a young activist. Calling for the return of military control is a clear signal that some in Brazilian society feel the democratic process has failed.

Despite the corruption, signs within the government point to the contrary. Like it or not, Rousseff was re-elected by Brazilians. It was by a slim margin, but it was indeed a victory. Rousseff won because she promised to continue pouring money into social programs despite the country's ailing economy. Her more conservative opponent, Aecio Neves, said cuts would have to be made.

Now in office and faced with prolonged economic malaise, Rousseff is sounding more like Neves, and that is contrary to the platform that got her elected. Perhaps voters should have seen it coming. Brazil's fairly new finance minister, Joaquim Levy, for his ability to slash budgets.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, leftist governments swept Latin America in what is known as the Pink Revolution. Commodities prices were high, and governments promised to reinvest the proceeds from exports like soy beans, oil, and steel into the people.

It was a new social contract, and the consumption of these commodities around the world (and especially in China) helped fill government coffers from Argentina to Brazil to Venezuela. As citizens were lifted out of poverty, they started to expect that their governments would deliver on the promises they made.

But we're in a new world economic order. Commodities prices have crashed, China is slowing, and cracks in the facade of these regimes are showing.

Brazil, always more moderate that Argentina and Venezuela, is sending a clear message with these protests.

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Iveco and Avibras finalists for Light Armored Vehicles for the Brazilian Army


(Defensa.com) Manufacturing Directorate within the Department of Science and Technology Brazilian Army, opened the negotiation phase and guidance for the submission of a final technical and commercial proposal for the nationalization process of obtaining Armored Vehicle Multitasking Lightweight Wheel (VBMT-LR). Avibras companies Divisão Air and Naval S.A. and Iveco Latin America LTDA are selected to appear and receive the necessary instructions to submit final proposals, on 18 August, and withdraw the draft contract. Proposes Iveco Light Multirole Vehicle (LMV) and Avibras the Tupi, based on the vehicle Sherpa Light Scout Renault Trucks Defense. The program includes the purchase of 186 vehicles.

4x4 armored-LR program of VBMT
VBMT-LR The program is part of the Strategic Project -Guarani Army (PEE Guarani) also integrates 6x6 vehicles VBTP-MR (VIATURA Armored Transport Pessoal - Half of Rhodes) and VBR-MR vehicles (Armored VIATURA reconhecimento - Medium Rhodes) 8x8 reconnaissance 105mm cannon tower. VBMT-LR The program includes the purchase of 180 4x4 vehicles in three batches, the first one of 32 units and then two of 77 units each. The program also includes the nationalization of production, the provision of integrated logistics services, training and spare parts, and the integration of remotely controlled weapons station REMAX (protected by machine gun Automated X) ARES Aerospace and Defense, and the station protected weapons Plattmounts MR550 manually operated.

Four manufacturers of armored vehicles responded, as reported in defensa.com last January at the request for proposals issued by the Diretoria of Fabricação (DF) of the Brazilian Army (EB) in October 2014 under the program VBMT-LR (VIATURA Multitarefa-Light Armored Rhodes or Multiproposito- Light Armored Vehicle Wheel). The procedure responded Iveco Latin America with armored wheeled armored LMV (Light Multi-role Vehicles), Iveco Defence Vehicles, Avibras the vehicle Tupi, a local version of the Sherpa Light Scout Renault Trucks Defense (RTD), BAE Systems Land Systems South Africa with RG32M LTV (Light Tactical Vehicle) and a consortium of AM General of the United States and Israel Plasan the Modernized Light Tactical Vehicle (MLTV).


The four vehicles were tested in 2014 at the Centre for Validation Army (CAEx) and approved by the end of that year through the issuance of the evaluation report. Among the basic requirements, the vehicle will have to offer a maximum weight and 8 tons, a maximum height of 2.20 meters, a maximum road speed of 90 km / h and a range 500 kilometers, five military transport, and survive the impact a mine of up to 6 kg and piercing ammunition of 7.62x51 mm.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) Brazilian Army will be the organization responsible for contract with the chosen company. The first vehicles will be delivered in six months after signing the contract. The acquisition process by DCT included the phases of evaluation, qualification and tender process.

The first 32 vehicles will be delivered directly by the manufacturer, the following 77 assembled in Brazil by transferring parts or assemblies of CKD (Completely Knock Down), and the rest mass produced in Brazil with a minimum of 60% of costs nationalization and parts. All 186 vehicles will be delivered in multi-purpose for use by infantry and cavalry mechanized version. In the future you may acquire additional vehicles possibly mortar carrier versions, anti-tank, command post, forward observer, electronic warfare and radar.

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Miragedriver said:

Brazilian protesters are calling for something downright scary

Hundreds of thousands of Brazilians took to the streets this weekend, calling for the impeachment of recently re-elected President Dilma Rousseff.

In sign after sign, middle-class protesters called for the military to wrest control of the country from Rousseff's Brazilian Workers' Party (PT).

Like it or not, Rousseff was re-elected by Brazilians. It was by a slim margin, but it was indeed a victory. Rousseff won because she promised to continue pouring money into social programs despite the country's ailing economy.

Now in office and faced with prolonged economic malaise, Rousseff is sounding more like Neves, and that is contrary to the platform that got her elected.

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The people of Brazil are going to have to elect a leader that does the wise, prudent, and sometimes hard thin of being financially responsible...and not just playing to the people who want something for nothing in an effort to "buy" votes..

Most democratic republics end up with such issues...including the US. But sooner or later the people find that it is a sham and ultimately leads to bankruptcy and chaos...and horrible times. Hopefully the people will realize this before it does...and vote accordingly.

That is one of the responsibilities that come with such freedom.

Asking for a military dictatorship is not the answer.

A nation that does may luck out and get a benevolent leader to begin with...but invariably that much power will corrupt the leaders and you end up with something worse than you started with.

No...the answer is for the people to actually vote responsibly.