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Sources report that, four months past the deadline, Brazil has yet to inform Israel’s Elbit Systems on whether it will proceed with the purchase of 36 ATMOS 2000 self-propelled howitzers. Let’s delve into the background and the current situation.
In May, the Brazilian Army, known as Exército Brasileiro, revealed its plan to purchase thirty-six ATMOS 2000 self-propelled howitzers from Israeli-based Elbit Systems. This decision came under the VBCOAP [Viatura Blindada de Combate Obus Autopropulsada] program after a tender process. Competing for the contract were KNDS France with the CAESAr, Slovak Konštrukta Defense, Czech Excalibur’s Zuzana 2 8×8, and China’s NORINCO with the SH15 6×6.
Elbit Systems was initially tasked with delivering two ATMOS 2000s within twelve months to facilitate technical and operational evaluations by Exército Brasileiro. Following successful evaluations, a “master contract” would be issued for an additional thirty-four units. The total contract value was estimated at 180 million euros, equivalent to 1 billion reais.
Despite seemingly complex diplomatic relations between Brazil and Israel, the Exército Brasileiro assured that opting for the ATMOS 2000 would not hinder the contract’s execution.
Soon after the announcement, however, the Brazilian MoD opted to pause the procurement, postponing the contract signing for a maximum of sixty days to conduct a necessary legal review of the recent changes in the tender process.
Yet, four months have passed without a contract. As reported by Defensa, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva may oppose purchasing the ATMOS 2000. Following the counsel of Celso Amorim, his diplomatic adviser and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, President Lula is considering awarding the contract to Excalibur/Konštrukta Defense instead.
The reasons behind Brazil’s delay in signing the agreement with Israel remain unclear, but it is worth noting the recent downturn in their diplomatic relations.
Relations between Brazil and Israel have soured recently, driven by political and diplomatic disagreements over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who has a left-leaning stance, has been vocal in his criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza. He has condemned military strikes by Israel during escalations with Hamas and has shown support for Palestinian self-determination.
In response, Israel perceives Brazil’s rhetoric as biased and overly supportive of the Palestinian side, leading to strained diplomatic interactions. Additionally, Lula’s administration has aligned with other nations in demanding a ceasefire and the cessation of Israeli settlements, further straining relations with Israel.
The tensions amplified in 2023 when Brazil called back its ambassador to Israel, reacting to the intensifying conflict in Gaza. Israel interpreted this move as a major diplomatic offense. On the Israeli side, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hardline policies concerning Gaza and the West Bank starkly contrast with Brazil’s more balanced, often pro-Palestinian stance.
These diplomatic strains mirror deeper ideological rifts. Brazil’s leadership focuses on human rights and multilateral diplomacy, while Israel prioritizes national security and defense against terrorism. This divergence inevitably causes friction between the two nations.
Nevertheless, Brazil’s Minister of Defense, José Múcio, highlighted that there is “no technical reason” to reconsider the selection by the Brazilian Army. Furthermore, he warned that abandoning the decision in favor of another option would set a “dangerous precedent,” potentially undermining the integrity of the selection and procurement processes.
If Brazil decides to cancel its purchase of 36 ATMOS 2000 self-propelled howitzers from Israel’s Elbit Systems, the impact on its domestic defense industry would be profound. The Brazilian defense sector depends on international partnerships to obtain the latest military technology, and the ATMOS 2000 is among the most advanced artillery systems available.
Such a cancellation would mean forfeiting vital technological transfers that could bolster Brazil’s defense manufacturing capabilities. Firms like Elbit Systems often provide opportunities for technology sharing and collaborative production, which benefit local suppliers and manufacturers significantly.
Without this acquisition, Brazil’s military could miss a critical chance to enhance its artillery forces with state-of-the-art mobile systems essential for modern warfare. This deficit could result in Brazil’s defense sector falling behind its global counterparts.
Secondly, a gap in artillery capabilities would hinder Brazil’s broader defense modernization efforts. The ATMOS 2000, with its superior mobility and firepower, aims to replace outdated, less effective systems currently in Brazil’s arsenal. Walking away from this purchase could impede the Brazilian Army’s modernization, making it less capable of addressing emerging threats or participating effectively in international peacekeeping missions. Without up-to-date weaponry, Brazil’s readiness for regional defense cooperation—a key part of its strategic defense planning—would also suffer.
Finally, the local defense industry could miss out on job creation, contracts, and economic growth opportunities. Brazil often secures local production or assembly agreements with major defense purchases, integrating domestic companies into the production or maintenance of these systems.
Canceling this deal could mean lost contracts for local firms that were set to collaborate with Elbit Systems on parts manufacturing, maintenance, and future upgrades. This would also make Brazil less appealing to other foreign defense contractors, who might then view the country as a less reliable market. Consequently, future growth opportunities within Brazil’s defense industry could be severely limited.
BULGARIAN MILITARY