Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to attend the 17th BRICS Summit 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday said the Brazil has expressed significant interest in India’s home-grown defence solutions, including secured communication systems, offshore patrol vessels, Akash Air Defence system and the Garuda artillery guns.

Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (East) P Kumaran during a special briefing on Modi’s five-nation visit to Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia, beginning July 2, spoke of Rio de Janeiro’s keenness for defence collaboration between the two countries to also explore joint research, technology sharing, and exchange of training.

“There will be a discussion on defence cooperation with Brazil. They are looking at avenues for joint research, technology sharing, and training exchanges... Broadly, we have a few areas that seem to be of interest to the Brazilian side. They are interested in secure communication systems on the battlefield. They are also interested in offshore patrol vessels. They also have Scorpène submarines and are interested in maintaining those submarines,” Kumaran said.

“They are also interested in the Akash Air Defence system, coastal surveillance systems, and Garuda artillery guns. They are also interested in manufacturing defence industries in a joint venture with us and joint R&D and co-development systems,” the Secretary (East) told reporters.

The growing interest in the Indian indigenous defence systems is also borne out of their successful deployment by the armed forces to dismantle terror and military structures of Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. 

Among them, Akash AD Systems stood to block incoming aerial projectiles from Pakistan.

The two countries are looking to co-develop and co-produce equipment, including armoured vehicles and small arms. 

Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer, which is into the Indian defence market for long with its platform converted for Airborne Warning and Control System, has also tied up with Mahindra Defence to become eligible for pitching for the Indian Air Force’s medium transport aircraft requirement.

Modi will be in Brazil during the fourth leg of his five-nation tour from July 5 to July 8 to attend the 17th BRICS Summit 2025 at Rio de Janeiro. It will be followed by a state visit at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Published on June 30, 2025