Brazil acquires arms from a range of international suppliers, as well as its domestic arms industry.
According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Brazil was the 25th major importer of arms globally between 2020-2024, importing arms mainly from France (53%), Sweden (20%), and Italy (11%). The US was next with 5.5%, while the UK supplied 4.2% of Brazil’s imports.
In the period covering 2018-2025, Brazil major imports included 100 Spike-MR anti-tank missiles from Israel; as well as 100 RBS-70 missiles from Sweden, 22 Mk-54 LWT anti-submarine torpedos, 4 Harpoon Block-2 anti-ship/land attack missiles from the US, and 27 helicopters from France.
France
Brazil ordered four Scorpene submarines and one SNBR nuclear submarine from French state shipbuilder Naval Group in 2009, for €6.8 billion, with most construction to occur in Brazil. Both the contract won by Odebrecht for building naval and shipbuilding facilities, and the main submarine contract itself, have been the subject of corruption investigations in Brazil and France.
Brazil also bought a total of 48 EC725 Super Cougar helicopters from Airbus France, for €1.9 billion under two contracts in 2009 and 2012. Deliveries of the helicopters are ongoing. They are produced locally by Brazilian Airbus subsidiary Helibras.
Sweden
Swedish company Saab signed a $5.8 billion deal in 2015 to sell 36 JAS-Gripen-E/F combat aircraft to Brazil, with much production to take place locally, along with major technology transfer. Delivery has started, and the 10th aircraft was delivered in 2025.
This deal has also been the subject of corruption allegations. A Brazilian consulting firm, Marcondes & Mautoni (M&M), were paid $2 million by Saab in relation to the deal, and in turn made payments of $1.2 million to Luis Claudio Lula da Silva, son of the former Brazilian President – allegedly for ex-President Lula to use his influence over his successor, Dilma Roussef, to swing the deal in Saab’s favour. However, there is no clear evidence that Lula’s influence had any impact on the ultimate decision, and no suggestion that Roussef herself received any bribes. This and other corruption allegations against Lula are widely suspected of being politically motivated.
Germany
Germany has supplied 220 Leopard tanks to Brazil, and a variety of other armoured vehicles, and is producing the engines for the Scorpene submarines.
UK
Brazil has traditionally bought only a small proportion of its weapons from the UK. However, the UK government is trying hard to change this and arms sales to Brazil have increased substantially in recent years.
In 2018, the UK delivered one Ocean amphibious assault ship to Brazil, followed by one Adams Challenge support ship in 2020. In 2019, Brazil ordered 100 Meteor MI missiles from the UK, which are still to be delivered, and more recently naval systems and air radars. There are also major UK components in the Saab Gripen fighter aircraft, 36 of which were ordered by Brazil from Sweden for $5.8 billion in 2015, including the radar system and the landing gear.
UAE
The Arab group EDGE has acquired 50% of Brazilian company SIATT to produce the MANSUP anti-ship missile. The collaboration is intended to produce a national surface-launched anti-ship missile project, highlighting a push for technological sovereignty in naval defense. A new factory in São José dos Campos is going to be responsible to produce the missiles. Furthermore, the sources confirm that SIATT signed a contract with the Brazilian Navy to supply the Mansup missiles, which are intended to equip the new Tamandaré Class frigates.
Israel
Israel has supplied Brazil with a variety of radar and other electronics systems for the modernisation of fighter, transport and reconnaissance aircraft, as well as UAVs and missiles.
