The Brazilian Army (EB, Exército Brasileiro in Portuguese) is to receive new units of the M109A5+ BR self-propelled combat artillery vehicle. BAE Systems has been awarded a $54 million contract to provide 32 upgraded M109A5+ self-propelled howitzers to the Brazilian Army. Thanks to a 2012 contract between the U.S. government and the Brazilian Army, Brazil’s ground force concluded 2018 with 60 M109A5 self-propelled howitzers and 40 new M992A2 field artillery ammunition support vehicles in its fleet.
Under the terms of the Foreign Military Sales contract, BAE Systems overhaul and upgrade 32 self-propelled howitzers to the M109A5+ configuration. The vehicles included items specifically tailored to the Brazilian Army’s requirements. In addition, the company provided spares and training as well as live fire support and field service support following delivery. BAE Systems, the original howitzer manufacturer, is upgrading the A5 to the A5+ in the United States. The upgrades are being made at Brazilian Army request
Developed to meet the army’s requirements, the new self-propelled M109 A5 ‘Plus’ BR has a longer range and features various improvements that reduce target engagement time by 80%. The guns feature an initial tube velocity gauge to enhance accuracy, as well as an improved positioning and navigation system, a command display unit, digital radios, a gun control system, and a remotely driven tube lock. The A5+ vehicles will also have a positioning and navigation system equipped with GPS and other navigation features independent of satellites.
The 5th self-propelled field artillery group (5th GAC AP) in Curitiba will be one of the first to receive 16 units of the new combat artillery vehicle. The field artillery group has built a new pavilion and incorporated an additional battery in order to increase its manpower. Personnel training has also been carried out in preparation for the new systems. The Brazilian Army began operations with its first M109A3 howitzer. In 2018, the EB began replacing its M109A3 fleet, dated from the early 2000s, with the M109A5 manufactured by BAE Systems. Brazil also operates 40 previous A3 variants purchased from the Belgian Army.
