By Isabela Nóbrega
In a ceremony held this Friday (11), in Rio de Janeiro, the President of the Republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, launched the new Growth Acceleration Program (PAC – Programa de Aceleração do Crescimento). During the event, which was attended by the Minister of Defense, José Mucio Monteiro, the Federal Government detailed the initiative, which foresees investments of R$ 53 billion in the Defense axis, one of the nine contemplated in the program. Through the initiative, a total of R$ 1.7 trillion will be invested in all states.
The resources allocated to Defense will be used to equip the country with cutting-edge technologies and increase national defense capacity, in addition to strengthening the Defense Industrial Base (BID), generating more jobs and income. Currently, the sector represents about 5% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and generates 2.9 million direct and indirect jobs. The PAC Defense axis covers strategic projects for the Armed Forces, such as naval, land, air equipment and integrating systems.
Check below the strategic programs included in the Defense axis of the new PAC:
Navy:
Navy Nuclear Program (PMN) – Construction of the Nuclear Embedded Plant (PNE) of the Conventionally Armed Submarine with Nuclear Propulsion (SCPN). As intermediate objectives, the Nuclear Power Generation Laboratory – LABGENE, which is the onshore prototype of the PNE, and the Fuel Cycle infrastructure will be developed and obtained.
Submarine Development Program (PROSUB) – Construction in the country of the first Conventionally Armed Submarine with Nuclear Propulsion (SCPN). In addition, the Program contributes to the improvement and innovation of the Submarine Force of the Brazilian Navy (MB), with the construction of four Conventional Diesel-Electric Propulsion Submarines. It is also planned to continue the works of the Itaguaí Naval Complex (RJ).
Patrol Vessel Development Program (PRONAPA) – Construction of patrol vessels, which will be developed and built at national level, for use in naval inspection actions and in the inspection of inland waters, the territorial sea, the Contiguous Zone and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Tamandaré Class Frigates Project – Promote the renewal of the Fleet with the construction in the country of four modern ships of high technological complexity. The frigates will be versatile escorts of significant combat power, capable of countering multiple threats and intended to protect maritime traffic, being able to carry out defense missions, near or far, of the Brazilian coast.
Army:
Armoured Force Strategic Programme – Obtain wheeled and tracked armoured vehicles, as well as their component subsystems, such as weapons and communications systems, contributing to the transformation of the Motorized Infantry into Mechanized (Inf Mec), the modernization of the Mechanized Cavalry (Cav Mec) and the Armoured Infantry and Cavalry (Bld).
ASTROS Strategic Programme – To contribute to the organization of the Brazilian Army’s (EB) rocket and missile artillery, enabling the equipping of the Ground Force with a long-range, high-precision strategic fire support system capable of employing guided rockets and tactical cruise missiles at a range of 300 km, which will contribute to strengthening Brazil’s deterrent capacity.
Integrated Border Monitoring System (SISFRON) – To equip the Army with the necessary means to monitor and control the Brazilian land border strip, with the support of sensors, processors and actuators, among other technological means.
Army Aviation Program – Keep Army aviation up to date with modern means and forms of combat, contributing to extra-regional deterrence; to the expansion of the EB’s projection on the international scene; to sustainable development and social peace.
Aeronautics:
FX-2 – Reequip the fleet of military combat aircraft, for the protection of the national territory and maintenance of the sovereignty of the Brazilian airspace. The initiative provides for the acquisition/production of multi-role fighter aircraft (F-39 Gripen NG), in order to expand the FAB’s capacity to fulfill Aerospace Control, Interdiction, Intelligence, Reconnaissance and Force Protection tasks, among others. The project also includes the peripherals necessary to support and use the equipment with state-of-the-art combat capability.
KC-390 – Develop and acquire multi-mission transport aircraft, freighter type, to carry out logistical air transport missions (troops and cargo) in national and/or global territory, refueling, aeromedical evacuation and fire fighting in flight, as well as the adaptation of the infrastructure of the air bases to support and operate this equipment.
KC-X – Acquisition of aircraft for in-flight refueling missions, logistical air transport (cargo and passengers), humanitarian actions and aeromedical evacuation, national or international. They are the largest ever operated by the FAB, with a high capacity for cargo transportation and for traveling long distances.
Transportation and Refueling – Conversion of the FAB’s A330-200 transport aircraft for in-flight refueling, with preparation for aeromedical evacuation, as well as materials, equipment and services.
HX-BR – Acquisition of medium-sized helicopters intended for combat support and interdiction tasks, as well as for training missions, which can also be used in humanitarian, national integration and civic-social actions. In addition, the project provides for the acquisition of specific helicopter armaments, integration systems, logistical support, flight simulators and technology transfer in the area of rotary wing aircraft.
TH-X – Acquisition of light helicopters for instruction at FAB, and instruction and operation in maritime environments at MB. The equipment will replace and standardize the light helicopter fleets of the FAB and MB, increasing interoperability and employment effectiveness.
Photo: Moisés Machado – Social Communications Office (Ascom) – Ministry of Defense