The Brazilian Army has received the first batch of Guarani wheeled armoured vehicles, developed in conjunction with Italy’s IVECO and which it plans to buy in over 2,000 copies, including special versions.

The first batch of 13 vehicles was officially handed over to the 33rd Mechanised Infantry Battalion in Cascavel, in Western Paraná state, in a ceremony attended by the Defense Minister, Celso Amorim, and the Army Commander, General Enzo Martins Peri.

Developed from research undertaken by different units of the Department of Science and Technology of the Army, the Guarani family of armoured vehicles is being produced in partnership with the Italian multinational Iveco, which built an industrial facility for this purpose in the city of Sete Lagoas (Mato Grosso state). The intellectual property of the Guarani – which is planned to be exported – belongs to the Brazilian Army.

The Guarani will replace the Cascavel and Urutu families of armoured vehicles that the military has operated for almost 40 years in the military. It is expected that another 86 vehicles to be delivered by the end of the year to the infantry battalions stationed in Foz do Iguaçu (PR), Apucarana (PR), Francisco Beltran (PR) and the Armored Instruction Center in Santa Maria (RS).

With a capacity for 11 men – nine combat troops, a gunner and a driver – Guarani contains, in addition to air conditioning, a number of technological innovations: low thermal and radar signature, which makes its location by enemies more difficult; armoured protection against armour-piercing and incendiary ammunition and antitank mines, GPS navigation, ABS brakes, night vision, a 383 hp engine allowing a maximum speed of 100 kmph; a battlefield management system, and a system providing situational awareness.

The Guarani is also prepared for swimming, with rear propellers that provide amphibious capability. Its turrets can be equipped with 30mm cannon ammo, as well as .50 calibre and 7.62mm machine guns. It is designed to engage air and ground targets.