Since the 70’s, navies have deployed long range anti-ship guided missiles as the primary weapon aboard their surface combatants. Initially developed by the Soviet Navy as a way to counter US carriers, this weapon got famous on 1982, during the Falklands war, when the Argentinian attacked the British navy using Exocet® missiles.

Like Argentina, Brazil was also using French Exocet® anti-ship missile platform. However, due to the rapid digital evolution experienced in the following two decades, and to the much higher price level that came along with the platform change, the Brazilian Navy decided to invest on R&D for its own anti-ship missile in 2011, when the Brazilian missile industry got its start.

Fundação Ezute runs the project of integrated management that articulates and oversees the process of developing a National Anti-ship Surface Missile (MANSUP).

The overall scope of the project consists of the development and manufacture in Brazil of prototypes of the MANSUP, of a performance similar to that of the EXOCET MM40‑B1 in order to be its substitute. It is a missile for naval use, Surface-to-Surface.

Since 2010, Fundação Ezute integrates the work of different suppliers and of the three companies hired to develop the technology of this intelligent missile, designed to perform “sea skimming” flights. This should be achieved from the joint work to be developed by Fundação Ezute and by the Contracted parties. Three prototypes of the missile will be tested before the beginning of the Brazilian version enters the industrial process.

The Brazilian Army and Air Force also have spent considerable funds in the last decade with the development of missiles and satellite launchers. The two current shortcomings off this segment are (1) the lack of an adequate Brazilian government budget to continuously and consistently aquire production runs of these new products once they are fully developed and (2) the relatively small size of the high-tech local developers, leaving them vulnerable to a certain extent.

Technological independence from other countries achieved at a fraction of the previous off-the-shelf purchase cost was the dual motivation reason that moved the armed forces towards this decision. The prospect of exporting the missiles abroad also weighted in favor. Missile technology evolution represents a strong leverage to the entire Brazilian defense industry reaching the next level. A level where very few countries have arrived at, so far.

MEREGE has been previously involved in a number of international (under NDA) negotiations, mostly aiming to create bi-national joint ventures and / or M&A process involving Brazilian high-tech companies and international corporations interested in either cooperative development of new advanced weapons in Brazil or future production in other countries.

Such complex cooperation would only work through an approach carefully developed, using a deep knowledge of the involved Brazilian defense stackholders (specially The Brazilian Armed Forces and the local industry associations), combining its history, needs and interests while playing into this delicate game.

That´s exactly where MEREGE adds its indispensable main value, knowledge and developed relationships that would make the difference.

SOURCES: BRAZILIAN NAVY and BRAZILIAN DEFENSE official websites.

Please, check out other KEY ON-GOING BUSINESS CASES at Brazilian Air Force (FAB), Brazilian Navy and other opportunities for Latin America:

• BUSINESS CASE SGDC 1 & 2
• BUSINESS CASE FAB / AEB “ALCANTARA launching base”
• BUSINESS CASE FAB – CARPONIS-1 / HR Remote Sensing
• BUSINESS CASE SMART AGRICULTURE – NB-IoT
• BUSINESS CASE INPE REMOTE SENSING SATELLITE “AMAZONIA-1”
• BUSINESS CASE INPE REMOTE SENSE SATELLITE “CBERS”
• BUSINESS CASE ELETROBRAS – HYDROELETRIC POWER
• BUSINESS CASE VALE – ENERGY STORAGE
• BUSINESS CASE MB “UNMANNED AIRCRAFT”
• BUSINESS CASE SISFRON – BRAZILIAN TERRESTRIAL BORDER
• BUSINESS CASE “AMAZÔNIA AZUL”
• BUSINESS CASE BRAZILIAN NAVY NUCLEAR PROGRAM
• BUSINESS CASE AIRCRAFTS SAAB F-39E GRIPEN
• BUSINESS CASE MB “TAMANDARÉ FRIGATES”

If your company is interested in opportunities such as those above, please let us know. MEREGE would be more than glad to act as your bridge into Brazil.

Unfolding relationships previously developed, MEREGE partners are able to quickly build a specific network that reaches the market the costumer needs.

MEREGE Legal & Regulatory team has a long and vast knowledge and experience, hence able to help your company to set the safest and the strongest path.

Always count on the widely respected experience and networking of MEREGE Consulting Partners to reach out to the right people at the right time.