The Brazilian Army completed a live fire demonstration of M109A5+ self-propelled howitzers following the delivery of 32 combat vehicles from BAE Systems. This event in Santa Maria, Brazil, signals the introduction of the M109A5+ vehicles into service that offer advanced firing and survivability capabilities and are tailored to meet specific Brazilian Army requirements.
“The demonstration is a testament to the success of the longstanding supplier partnership between BAE Systems and the Brazilian Armed Forces,” said Steven Kelly, who represented BAE Systems at the event as vice president of international business development for Combat Vehicles. “In close collaboration with the U.S. Government, we hope to continue providing exceptional capability to the Brazilian Army.”
The live fire demonstration showcased the M109A5+ howitzer’s advanced technologies for modernizing the Army’s artillery capabilities. It significantly reduces the time needed from target identification to firing over their previous systems, giving the vehicle a “shoot and scoot” capability for better battlefield mobility and improved survivability. This feature involves a digitized fire mission sequencing system, as well as enhanced position and navigation systems, commander’s display unit, digital radios and remotely actuated travel lock.
BAE Systems was awarded a $54 million U.S. Government Foreign Military Sales contract in 2016 to provide the upgraded M109A5+ self-propelled howitzers to the Brazilian Army. Under the contract, BAE Systems has also been providing the Brazilian Army with technological know-how and support through the lifecycle of the delivered vehicles.
“BAE Systems remains dedicated to meeting the needs of the Brazilian Armed Forces by providing the best capabilities possible, and has a long-standing commitment to the country’s defense needs,” said Marco Caffe, BAE Systems’ general manager for Brazil.
BAE Systems has been active in Brazil for over 50 years with equipment in service in the land, sea and air domains. We are committed to delivering defense solutions through local partnerships and the transfer of technology. Through the supply of artillery to naval guns, armored vehicles to electronic warfare systems, the Amazon Class Offshore Patrol vessels and the Artisan 3D and DNS-2 Combat Management System on the Helicopter Carrier Atlantico (ex-HMS Ocean), BAE Systems is committed to Brazil.
