Brazilian Defense Minister José Mucio talks about strategic Defense projects in a Senate hearingBrazilian Defense Minister José Mucio talks about strategic Defense projects in a Senate hearing

On Thursday (04), the Minister of Defense, José Mucio, was invited by the Foreign Relations and National Defense Commission (CRE), of the Federal Senate, to talk about the projects and perspectives of Defense and the Armed Forces. The commanders of the Navy, Army and Air Force accompanied the holder of the portfolio and presented data on the performance of each force in the country’s sovereignty and in actions to support society. The Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces also attended the audience.

In the occasion, the Minister thanked the invitation and highlighted the role of Defense, which goes beyond ensuring the country’s sovereignty. “The Navy, Army, and Air Force play a relevant role, not only in the primary function of defending national sovereignty, but also in the wide range of duties they perform, on a daily basis, for the benefit of the nation and society, with a broad impact on the welfare, security, and development of the country and the lives of Brazilians.

José Mucio also spoke about the relevance of the strategic Defense programs and projects, to provide security to the Brazilian State. “The Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces are also developers of strategic projects for the defense of Brazil. This portfolio of actions aims to allow the country to maintain a high level of deterrence, with compatible military technology and professionalized personnel”, he said. He also pointed out that, “in the Ministry of Defense, the nuclear, cybernetic and space sectors have been chosen as priorities”.

In relation to the Defense Industrial Base (BID), the chief of the portfolio emphasized the sector’s contribution to the country’s development. “In the same way, military activity produces beneficial repercussions in our economy. The Brazilian defense industry presents itself with competitive products, technologically capable factories, besides the insertion of programs in the national academic area and the generation of income, jobs and quality of life for the Brazilian people. The Brazilian IDB, currently, has about 2.9 million workers, being 1.6 million direct jobs and 1.3 million indirect jobs”, he pointed out.

Brazilian Army Commander participates in a hearing in the Senate National Defense Committee

The Brazilian Army Commander, General Tomás Miguel Miné Ribeiro Paiva, participated in a public hearing in the Senate’s Foreign Relations and National Defense Committee. The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Defense, José Múcio Monteiro Filho, the Commander of the Brazilian Navy, Admiral Marcos Sampaio Olsen, and the Commander of the Brazilian Air Force, Air Lieutenant Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno. 

The hearing was an opportunity for the commanders of the three Forces to explain the characteristics, potential, and needs of their institutions to the members of the Commission. At the meeting, General Tomás spoke about the Army’s structure and detailed some of the Force’s Strategic Programs. The Commander also exposed numbers that characterize the current situation of the Army and pointed out achievements, challenges and needs of the Institution. 

The general also approached the readiness of the troops in supporting the population – as in the case of the floods that affected the population in São Sebastião (SP) – and the Army’s strategic approach, based on the principles of Presence, Cooperation and Dissuasion. After his explanation, the Commander answered questions from the Commission’s parliamentarians. 

Commission of Foreign Relations and National Defense – The CRE is composed of 19 members and is part of the 14 permanent commissions of the Federal Senate. At the beginning of each legislative session, public hearings are held with the participation of the Ministers of Defense and Foreign Relations, to provide information about their respective areas of competence. The hearing with the Minister of Defense was held at the request (REQ 3/2023 – CRE) of Senator Renan Calheiros (MDB-AL), president of the CRE.

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