The Contract for the Guarani

The day before yesterday the Brazilian Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Iveco to supply 86 wheeled transporters VBTP-MR Guarani. They will cost BRL 240 million, or about 118 million USD.

Test firing of the prototype with the use of unmanned turret Elbitu UT30 BR. However, most vehicles will be equipped with a native zsmu REMAX armed with JMC or automatic grenade launcher.

Vehicles are defined as belonging to the experimental tranche of supplies that will be tested in mechanized units to develop tactics for their use. Funds for the purchase come in part from the basic budget of the Ministry of Defence, however, slightly more than half - 48 copies - will be paid from the fund to stimulate industrial activity (which has a total assets worth about 750 million USD).

So far, Iveco delivered a prototype, used in a series of tests. Work is also underway on the first series of 16 test vehicles already ordered, of which the first 7 should go to customers later this year. Probably they were included in the agreement signed on Tuesday, although the defense ministry statement did not give in this matter of certainty.

Known is that the company assembling vehicles Iveco Veículos de Defesa in Sete Lagoas should give the military the first 38 cars to mid-2013, and another 48 by July 2014. Ultimately, companies have to leave about a hundred Guarani year. Taking into account the fact that the Brazilian army in 2009, made ​​a framework contract to supply vehicles of this type in 2044 assembly plant in Sete Lagoas future should be guaranteed at least until 2035.

Prospects for improving the vision of the establishment of export contracts. Now being negotiated with Argentina, which declares its willingness to purchase VBTP-MR for one of the mechanized brigades. Recent reports indicate that the first delivery of 14 vehicles may relate to the joint battle group in Chile dedicated to peacekeeping missions.

The share of sub-suppliers in the production of family VBTP-MR from the start is scheduled for a high level. According to the assurances of the representatives of Iveco, in the first batch of supplies has reached 60%.