Avibras advances operations after re-organisation

An artistic impression of Avibras' AV-SS-120 tactical ballistic missile (Avibras Aeroco)

Brazilian missile specialist Avibras Aeroco (formerly Avibras Indústria Aeroespacial) is working to resume full operations at its plant in Jacareí, São Paulo state.

The facility has a total area of 2.7 million m², including 70,000 m² of building space for development, assembly, storage, production, testing, laboratory, and management activities, the company told Janes .

On 27 May, Avibras was accredited as a strategic defence company by the Secretariat of Defence Products of the Brazilian Ministry of Defence.

Avibras initially planned to formally launch operations at Jacareí on 2 July but later postponed the event to an undisclosed date.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Vice President Geraldo José Rodrigues Alckmin Filho, and Defence Minister José Mucio Monteiro Filho visited Avibras on 24 July, the company told Janes .

New company

Avibras Aeroco was formally established in March after nearly four years of minimal production due to financial issues that resulted in a judicial re-organisation, Sami Youssef Hassuani, CEO for Avibras, told Janes recently .

The company launched with a staff of 60, which grew to 200 in May. It is expanding its workforce to 560 by the end of July, with an eventual target of 1,100 personnel, he said.

The judicial re-organisation resulted in the creation of two distinct companies. The former Avibras Indústria Aeroespacial holds the debt, while Avibras Aeroco was created as a new operation, free of liabilities, and brings together the main industrial and technological assets of the former company.