The Brazilian Army has selected the Centauro II produced by a Leonardo and Iveco consortium to fulfill its requirement for armored vehicles. The contract is reportedly worth up to EUR2 billion ($2.08 billion).
Officially designated the Wheeled Armored Medium Cavalry Vehicle (Viatura Blindada de Cavalaria Média Sobre Rodas, or VBC Cav – MSR 8×8), the Brazilian variant will be outfitted with a 120mm armament rather than the originally reported 105mm configuration. Although order quantities have not yet been officially announced, Brazil has previously outlined plans to acquire 98 vehicles by 2038 and 220 in total.
According to Forecast International’s International Military Markets – Latin America & Caribbean, the team – doing business as Società Consortile Iveco – Oto Melara (CIO) – beat competing designs from General Dynamics Land Systems, offering the LAV 700 with a Cockerill turret; Hanwha with its Tigon; NORINCO, offering the ST-1; Ares-Elbit Systems, offering its Eitan; and Tata Motors with the Kestrel.
A military history enthusiast, Richard began his career at Forecast International as editor of the World Weapons Weekly newsletter. As the Internet became central to defense research, he helped design the company’s Forecast Intelligence Center and now coordinates the FI Market Recap newsletters for clients. He also manages two blogs: Defense & Security Monitor, which covers defense systems and international security issues, and Flight Plan, focused on commercial aviation and space systems.
For more than 30 years, Richard has authored Defense & Aerospace Companies, Volume I (North America) and Volume II (International), providing detailed data on major aerospace and defense contractors. He also edits the International Contractors service, a database tracking all companies involved in programs covered by the FI library. Richard currently serves as Manager of the Information Services Group (ISG), which develops outbound content for both Forecast International and Military Periscope.
