Brazil Takes Delivery Of First 13 Guarani Armored Vehicles

The first batch of 13 vehicles was officially handed over to the 33rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion in Cascavel, in Western Paraná state, in a ceremony attended by the defense minister, Celso Amorim.

Developed from research undertaken by different units of the Department of Science and Technology of the Army, the Guarani family of armored vehicles is being produced in partnership with the Italian multinational Iveco, which built an industrial facility for this purpose in the city of Sete Lagoas (Mato Grosso state). The intellectual property of the Guarani - which is planned to be exported – belongs to the Brazilian Army.

During the hand-over ceremony of the initial batch, Celso Amorim said that the service introduction of the Guarani "is a significant event and a new milestone in the re-equipping our Armed Forces." To the Minister of Defence, the technological quality and employability of new armored reinforces "the self-esteem of our military" and shows the "future vision" of the Nation. 

Amorim said that the Guarani has a large military presence, which ensures a greater deterrent power, "able to deter threats to our territory and our riches." The minister also praised the fact that the project has been developed and produced in Brazil, since its export may result in payment of royalties to the Land Force. "I'm sure the Guarani will be a worldwide success," he said. 


The Guarani will replace the Cascavel and Urutu families of armored vehicles that the military has operated for almost 40 years in the military. It is expected that another 86 vehicles to be delivered by the end of the year to the infantry battalions stationed in Foz do Iguaçu (PR), Apucarana (PR), Francisco Beltran (PR) and the Armored Instruction Center in Santa Maria (RS). "It is a modern and efficient vehicle, a milestone in the transformation process of our troops," said Gen. Carlos Bolivar, who is in charge of the Military Command South (CMS).