The Argentine Army’s recent success in the Operation Arandu, conducted jointly with the Brazilian military, has underscored the impressive performance of the VBTP-MR Guarani 6×6 armoured personnel carrier. The Army’s confidence in the Guaraní with REMAX system highlights its pivotal role in safeguarding the nation’s security. In the first week of August, the Ares REMAX participated in the Exercise Arandu, a significant joint operation involving over 600 soldiers from Argentina and Brazil. Taking place at the General Ávalos Training Ground in Monte Caseros, Argentina, this operation showcased the collaborative efforts of both nations’ armed forces. The maneuvers encompassed a wide range of activities, including parachute drops, vehicle movements, aircraft attacks, and various other tactical maneuvers, all conducted with the participation of aircraft and armored vehicles from both countries.
The presence of Guaraní equipped with the REMAX system during Operation Arandu provided an invaluable opportunity for military personnel and dignitaries of varying ranks to familiarize themselves with the vehicle’s technical specifications and capabilities. The Argentine Army’s conviction that the Guaraní with REMAX is the vehicle of choice for safeguarding the nation’s security. The Argentine government’s commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities is evident through its plans to acquire 156 Guaraní 6×6 armored vehicles, complete with technology transfer, progressive domestic component manufacturing, logistical support, and comprehensive training for both crew and technical personnel. The collaboration between the Argentine and Brazilian armies signals a new era of cross-border defense cooperation and preparedness.
The VBTP-MR Guarani (Viatura Blindada Transporte de Pessoal – Média de Rodas; “Armored Personnel Carrier Vehicle – Medium Wheeled Type”) is a 6×6 armoured personnel carrier developed by Iveco and the Brazilian Army as part of its “Urutu-III” modernization program aimed to replace all EE-11 Urutu by 2015. The 8×8 version of the VBTP-MR is the base of Iveco’s Superav armoured personnel carrier. In the program other Brazilian Companies also participated, such as IMBEL (Communications), Elbit (Armaments), Usiminas and Villares. Argentina has officially declared its aim to buy 156 Guarani armored vehicles produced in Brazil, having signed a letter of intent on 2022 December 23. Compared to the model in use today by the Brazilian Army, the new project brings advantages such as upgraded armor protection, increased mobility, increased range and increased protection against mines.
Remax (Reparo de Metralhadora Automatizada X) is a Brazilian remote weapon system produced by CTEx (Brazilian Army engineers) and Ares Aeroespacial e Defesa S.A. It’s a flexible system able to receive many configurations, like 7.62×51mm NATO, 12.7 mm. The system gives soldiers 360° capacity and is equipped with night vision, thermal vision, high resolution camera and zoom. The project is in advanced stage. From now on, only minor modifications will be made in order to reduce the weight of the system, thus improving their performance. Remax will be used with the export variant of the Guarani armored personnel carrier. It is an ambitious project started in 2006 with the promise of developing the first 100% national weapons station.
