Brazilian APC programme gears up for trials

The Brazilian Army has awarded IVECO Latin America a contract, potentially worth BRL6 billion (USD3.3 billion), which could lead to the supply of as many as 2,044 Viatura Blindada de Transporte de Tropas (Media sobre Rodas) 6x6 armoured fighting vehicles.

A full-scale mockup of the VBTP-MR (Wheeled Medium APC - Basic Platform) was shown for the first time at the Latin America Aero & Defence exhibition held in Rio De Janeiro in April 2009. The first prototype is now nearing completion at the facilities of the IVECO Latin America Sete Lagoas plant in Minas Gerais. Following initial company trials, it is expected to be handed over to the Brazilian Army in April 2010 for extensive technical and mobility trials.

After an international competition, the Brazilian Army awarded the VBTP-MR development contract to IVECO Latin America in late 2007. The VBTP-MR has since been designed in very close co-operation with the Brazilian Army Science and Technology Department, with technical assistance provided by IVECO Defence Vehicles of Bolzano, Italy.

A key objective of the programme is to replace all of the Brazilian Army's fleet of wheeled armoured vehicles with a new generation of vehicles with more volume, payload and protection. Already funded are 16 initial-production VBTP-MR vehicles in a range of configurations. These are due to be completed by late 2011, by which time the initial contract will have run its course.